Sachem Public Library

Sachem Public Library Long Island, New York

This month, STEM Punks was delighted to be taken on a virtual tour of the awesome makerspaces that have been created at the Sachem Public Library, which is located in Suffolk County on Long Island in the state of New York. Librarian and Head of the Studio Department Makerspace, Christopher DeCristofaro spoke with us and provided an inspiring virtual tour. Christopher explained that the library is divided into collaborative departments that include the Children’s Department, Teen Department, Studio Department (for adults) and the Outdoor Department. In the Main Space area, Christopher showed an Epson SureColor P7000 that is able to print colour posters. The printer is mainly used for printing large posters for publicity and community purposes. He explained, “we recently did a project for the cub scouts and we did a project for the school district where we printed posters of each one of the seniors’ football players dressed in their uniforms holding their helmets. We did some graphic work where we put their names on it and then they hung them along the fence, on the field, for their homecoming. We give back to the community.” Christopher introduced the Czech made, Prusa 3D printers. “These printers are absolutely amazing. We have 12 throughout the whole building and they are just absolute workhorses, they’re monsters and they’re super affordable. We do all kinds of cool projects. There’s a coral reef project that we’re helping with. From what I understand, it’s a national project that the schools are now involved with and they’re sending these 3D printed corals to Mexico to build a coral reef. That’s just one of the projects that we’re working on.” The Studio Department also has both filament and liquid resin 3D printers and scanners, a Carvey CNC machine, a laser engraver/cutter, digital microscope, green screen technology and video preservation area. Sachem Library also has its own fully equipped and sound proofed recording studio, called ‘The Booth.’ Christopher explained that prior to the pandemic, there were about 10 podcasters, including Christopher, who were podcasting from this recording studio. Christopher said, “we’ve actually brought some of this recording equipment down to one of our community rooms for a guy who was trying out for the United States Airforce Band to play trumpet. We did the recordings for him. The best part is that you can record to a laptop or an IPad and you’re good to go. If you don’t have that, we can supply that too. When they’re done, we can give them the files. So, that’s kind of cool too.” In addition to the adult maker spaces, children have their own maker spaces located within and outside of the library. Christopher said, “we do a lot of electronics, but we also do some very low-tech stuff. We have this cabinet, that is filled with hand tools, hammers, screwdrivers, socket wrenches and things that kids don’t usually play with nowadays. We have carpentry projects, and we have pegboards that have all kinds of nuts and bolts, screws and things. The kids can literally jump on top of the pegboard and use a socket or crescent wrench. We also have tech tubs, so if you want to get trains out for the kids you give your library card and you can get the set of trains for them or they can code with Ozobots.” The outdoor children’s classroom is called Discovery Grove. Christopher explained, “that area has all kinds of things like a digging area, a water area and a painting area. it’s a place where in the spring and summer we do a garden buddies where we teach kids about gardening. We produce a ton of food that goes to local soup kitchens.” Christopher described the outdoor Halloween themed events that the library runs during the evening for families, and also a winter wonderland garden of lights which are very popular with the local community. Christopher summarised the library’s approach, “when kids are little, they come to the library with their parents and then they age out of the Children’s Department and move into the Teen Department. What happens when they turn 18 and they graduate from high school? Nine times out of ten, the kids don’t come back because what’s there for them? So, the concept that we have here is to start the kids when they’re kids doing 3D printing and robotics, then they transition into the Teen Department and they continue to learn whether it’s directed or self-directed. If they’re kids and they’re into doing that kind of stuff, what happens is when they transition out, they’re not thrown out into the cold. They can now come and play with the stuff that we have in the Adult Department (The Studio) which is basically a bulked-up version of what you see in the Teen Department. So, maybe you learned about Adobe Illustrator when you were in Teens, now you can use Adobe Illustrator with the laser engraver. That’s how we are retaining our 20 somethings.”