WYANDOTTE WARRIOR > December 14, 2023 – January 22, 2024 < Page 11
A space for makers at Bacon Memorial Library BY WILLIAM GRAY TORRENCE “It’s all good praise for this place,” said Steve Shubert, 41, of Wyandotte. Every week, Shubert takes his two children, ages 7 and 10, to The Bacon Memorial Library, located on 45 Vinewood Street, to enjoy the offerings of its Makerspace, a craft area geared towards children and teens. “It’s a transformative space the kids can lose themselves in,” said Shubert. “I’ve seen kids with nowhere else to go get out of the cold and spend many hours in that space. It’s nice to see that kind of hospitality.” Makerspace occupies the Edwina de Windt Room of the historic Ford-Bacon home, originally built in 1897, and is equipped with a variety of tools, such as two button-press machines, a die cut
machine and embossing machine, as well as enough crayons, markers and glue to supply an art school. The supplies are free and the machines are readily available to use, except for the heat press, which must be checked out from the front desk. A heat press is similar to an iron that creates heat transfers of designs onto materials that you provide. The space is available to both residents and non-residents, according to Laura Gramlich, library director. Although Makerspace was first created nearly five years ago, it was closed, along with the library, during the pandemic. Since its reopening, its popularity has surged, according to Paula Evans Neuman, library board member. Gramlich agreed. “The response (to
the space) has been great,” she said. “It sees near constant, everyday use.” Many themed events and workshops are on the calendar for interested participants for the rest of the year. No need to register for a spot. The space is open from 10 a.m. until fifteen minutes before the library closes. The library is open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and is closed on Sundays. Not interested in working within the themes of some of the events? Utilize the space and create at your will during the rest of the week. Have anything you want to make with outside supplies or materials? Feel free to bring those in as well. Some of the upcoming events include Bead it at Bacon on Nov. 29, where
you can create your own jewelry with or without provided patterns; Lego Wednesday on Dec. 6, where you can take advantage of the library’s huge stash of Legos and build some of your own ideas from scratch; and Race the Space: Hot Wheels on Dec. 20, where you can design and build your own custom racetracks and race the library’s collection of Hot Wheels cars. With a nod to the upcoming holidays, one event to keep an eye on is Reindeer Sweater-making on Dec. 10, where you design an original sweater for a reindeer. Be sure to get in while supplies last. For more information on tools, events and dates, be sure to check out their online page at baconlibrary.org/ makinatbacon.