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Local libraries … more than just books

Makerspace and Library of Things coming May 18

By JULIE STENGER 10 min read

STEUBENVILLE -- Remember the days when the only items that could be checked out of the library were books?

Recall when card catalogues were the guide for finding a reference? And seeking a librarian's help?

How about when encyclopedias were the volumes of choice but not permitted to leave the building?

How those times have changed.

With the passage of each decade, more and more is being offered at local libraries. Advancements in technology have brought computers for our use and the option of checking out VHS tapes, DVDs and music CDs.

But what is coming to local libraries later this month, are two programs which no one could have envisioned while thumbing through those card catalogues.

Crafters, inventors, artists and thinkers are invited to attend the Public Library of Steubenville and Jefferson County's ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Makerspace and Library of Things.  

The grand opening is scheduled from noon to 4 p.m. May 18 at the Schiappa Branch on Mall Drive. 

Following the ribbon cutting, there will be an afternoon of demonstrations, giveaways, and creative activities for those in attendance.

Among the prizes that could be won are a family pass to Carnegie museums, an outdoor cooler and cornhole boards, a Circuit Joy and Tonies Boxes. Prizes are being sponsored by the Friends of the Library.

Public relations coordinator Jennifer Cesta announced the Makerspace will be located at the Schiappa Library, while the Library of Things is going to be available at all library locations throughout Jefferson County. The Makerspace and Library of Things are headed by Library Outreach and Programming Coordinator Sarita Asawa and technology coordinator O.J. Meeks.

The Makerspace

A Makerspace is a dedicated space with high-tech equipment available for the public's use. Library cardholders ages 16 and older will have access to the equipment.

Library assistant Dani Flinn stated the Makerspace is located where the café used to be, right as one walks in the front door of the Schiappa Branch. She said the space will house a laser engraver, 3-D printer, poster printer, button maker and Cricut machine. It will house a digital conversion station, which encompasses a variety of tools to digitize analog media, such as VHS, cassettes, photographs and more.

These are the startup pieces of equipment the library has selected in which to begin the program. However, in time, officials say they plan to add more items to the space.

"We definitely plan on expanding in the future," Flinn said. "Ideas that have been discussed include sewing machines, sublimation printers and even a children's Makerspace."

Reservations can be made -- and are definitely recommended -- to use a certain machine, Flinn said, adding the maximum amount of time someone can use a machine is for three hours per day. Patrons may request extra time if no one else is waiting to use the machine.

"Walk-ins will be welcome if there is no one currently signed up for the machine," she commented.

Flinn said the idea of creating the space was put into motion about a year ago.

"Over the years, many staff members have either been to conferences or visited other libraries that had a Makerspace or something similar," Flinn explained. "The idea seemed very popular and successful in those libraries and their communities. PLSJ staff thought it would be a great idea to bring some of that creativity to their community as well."

When asked if the addition of a Makerspace will be a valuable asset to this community, Flinn responded, "The Makerspace will absolutely be an amazing community asset. This space opens up not only opportunities for well-versed crafters to have access to equipment and technology they otherwise might not have, but encourages others, who may not be as experienced, to learn."

"The Makerspace not only offers an opportunity for members of the community to find new hobbies and passions to pursue, but draws people who otherwise may not have thought of visiting their local library," she said.

Meeks detailed the size of some of the pieces of equipment. This way, individuals wanting to use these machines will know the size of the projects that can be worked on.

For example, the maximum cut size for the Cricut machine is 11.7 inches by 12 feet, while the laser engraver has a work area that is 35.4 inches wide by 23.6 inches deep by 9.1 inches in height. Both machines are free to use as long as one brings their own materials, Meeks explained.

If patrons want to use the 3-D printer, the weight of the object is calculated prior to printing and will cost 10 cents per gram. As for the digital conversion station, it is free of charge as long as you bring your own flash drive, Meeks stated. "We will provide 32-gigabyte flash drives for $5 each," he noted.

Library of Things

The Library of Things program will be offered at all area library branches, including the Main, Schiappa, Toronto, Dillonvale and Mount Pleasant, Tiltonsville and Brilliant libraries.

Each branch will offer something different and unique which library-card holders can borrow.

Among the items being offered for use are a luggage scale, bird-watching kit, fishing pole, a Roku, a ghost-hunting kit, Tonie Boxes, Blue-Ray players, knitting and crocheting sets, code readers, traffic cones, ring lights, retro gaming consoles, Halo battery chargers, Arti3000s, a disc golf set, a Dungeons and Dragons starter set and a ukulele.

Each item will be permitted to be checked out for a one-week period, library officials commented.

If one does not return the item on the date it is due back, that library user will accrue a fifty-cent penalty per day, it was stated. If the merchandise is not returned within a week, the patron will be billed for the total cost of that item.

There is no cost to check out an item. All that is needed a valid library card that is in good standing.

Staff members heard from other libraries during conferences about the success of their Library of Things.

"The idea of being able to help the community by providing things they may only need temporarily or are just wanting to try out before buying, was something staff has been wanting to do for years," Flinn stated.

The library received $22,000 in grant funding toward bringing these two projects to the area, following grant applications completed by Asawa.

"We are incredibly grateful to receive grant support from both the Esther C. Simmons Foundation and the J.C. Williams Charitable Trust," Asawa stated. "We received a grant for the Library of Things totaling $6,829 from the Simmons foundation, and the Williams trust awarded us $15,500 for the Makerspace. Both of these trusts are managed by the PNC Charitable Trusts. These funds were directly applied to the materials and equipment needed to begin these projects."

So, what exactly is the cost to bring these two new programs to the community? And where did that money come from?

Asawa explained the overall cost for the Library of Things cost an estimated $8,000 -- most of which was funded by the Ester C. Simmons Foundation.

"Included in the cost are storage, items and cases," she said. "The additional funds were matched by our budget. The Makerspace is a far more ambitious project, since it involved construction and high-level industrial equipment."

"The overall budget for that project was $130,000," she continued. "This was partially funded by the Williams grant and our existing capital improvements and equipment budgets."

Planning for these projects began in January 2023.

"We immediately began searching for additional funding to support these large-scale projects," Asawa stated. "The grant process from beginning to end takes several months. Thanks to guidance from the PNC Charitable Trust and some experience with grant writing, this process was very smooth. The grant-writing process took several weeks and we submitted the Simmons proposal for the Library of Things in March 2023. It was awarded in June."

"The Williams grant for the Makerspace was submitted in April 2023 and awarded in July," she added.

"We're incredibly excited for these two projects to launch in Jefferson County," Asawa commented. "Both the Makerspace and Library of Things ideas have been discussed for five years and it's rewarding to see them come to life."

"The Library of Things is such a unique idea that extends our ability to serve our patrons in a new way," she continued. "This will enable patrons to try new items, pick up a new hobby or save some money by borrowing instead of buying one-time use items. The Makerspace will open the doors of creativity and ingenuity to our county by providing access to high-end equipment. We're looking forward to seeing what our patrons learn and create on equipment such as the laser engraver and 3-D printers."

Team members who helped to develop and organize the Makerspace and Library of Things include Alicia Nutter and Eli Kvocka.

Patrons are encouraged to unleash their creativity and explore their library.

Museum passes

Another new feature coming to the library this month is the chance to receive free museum passes with just the scanning of one's library card.

The passes will be ready for checkout on May 18 during the grand opening, officials stated.

Each museum pass checks out for seven days, offering free admission for two adults and up to six children.

Museum passes are available at all library locations. Travel and participate in hands-on STEM activities for kids. Experience what everyday life was like during the French and Indian War or look back at a form of transportation. All for free with just a library card.

Museum passes in the Pittsburgh area are in partnership with the Heinz Center Affiliates and Whitehall Public Library.

New this year, is the OH WOW! Science Center in Youngstown. This museum pass is limited to four tickets to borrow at a time and only available at the Main, Dillonvale and Mount Pleasant, Schiappa, Tiltonsville and Toronto branches.

This year's museum sites include the Heinz History Center, where visitors can see the Mr. Roger's Neighborhood exhibit and Kids Discovery Center. Don't miss all things sports at the West Pennsylvania Sports Museum.

The Fort Pitt Museum lets you step back in time at Point State Park, discovering what life was like for 18th-century residents. Learn about the role of Pittsburgh during the American Revolution, the French and Indian War and the Early Republic.

Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village let visitors experience 19,000 years of history at North America's oldest site of human habitation. Tour three recreated villages to learn what life was like for our earliest ancestors.

The Pennsylvania Trolley Museum lets you take a ride into the past when the trolley era was alive and well. Museum guides put the trolley in its historical context and explains what life was like 50 to100 years ago.

Braddock's Battlefield History Center is a small, American museum and visitor center on the site of the Battle of the Monongahela of July 9, 1755. It features a collection of art, documents and artifacts about the Braddock Expedition and the French and Indian War as it unfolded.

Check out Fort Ligonier and experience history like never before. The museum includes a collection of art and artifacts from across the globe -- along with archaeological collections from the French and Indian War.

The Depreciation Lands Museum is a vibrant, colonial era living-history settlement in an area that by 1805, was known as Talley Cavey. The museum seeks to present the lifestyle, hopes and dreams of the early European settlers in the Depreciation Lands, which includes their interactions with the local natives.

Historic Fort Steuben is a reconstructed 1786 military fort located in Steubenville. Tour the fort, check out the archeology site, stop through the current exhibits and check out special events.

The OH WOW! Children's Science Museum allows guests to explore while learning. Check out the hands-on activities at the OH WOW! Children's Center in downtown Youngstown.

This colorful, hands-on environment encourages independent thinking through interactive STEM-based exhibits and EDUtraining programs.

Starting at /week.