There’s a lot you and your kids can create in your own home with basic supplies, like cardboard, scissors and tape, or even wood, hand tools, and screws or nails. But there’s no substitute for a 3D printer, laser cutter, sewing machine, or vinyl cutter. However, that equipment comes at a cost–we’re talking hundreds or even thousands of dollars to purchase, not to mention maintain it. And who will train you? We’re fortunate that there are many library makerspaces near Chicago to fill in the gap. Many are open to a wide range of visitors, meaning that you don’t need to live in that town to use the equipment, you simply need to register your card there.
Library Makerspaces in Chicago
One of the best know makerspaces in Chicago is the Harold Washington Library Maker Lab. The Maker Lab is open early afternoon through early evening, so it can accommodate a range of work or school schedules. Like many makerspaces, it’s designed for adults, but it’s also open to kids ages 14 and up. Children ages 10-13 may come with an adult. The Maker Lab staff offers special programs and training sessions in addition to open lab hours.
The Chicago Public Library system host a variety of teen tech, STEM and maker programs through their YouMedia initiative, which is active at several branches around the system, in addition to Harold Washington.
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Library Makerspaces Near Chicago
Find a library makerspace near you! The city doesn’t rule when it comes to cool makerspaces in libraries. There are plenty of suburban options! The suburban libraries noted below have items like 3D printers, sewing and embroidery machines, vinyl cutters, large format printers and/or other items that help people create physical products.
Most of the libraries (and many more that aren’t listed here) have digital labs that make it easy to transfer old movies and records to digital formats or provide equipment to help you produce a professional podcast or edit movies and the like.
Click to learn more about the space, and the equipment, as well as rules and fees.
Makerspace, Santori Public Library, Aurora
Studio300, Fountaindale Public Library, Bolingbrook
The Makery, Elmhurst Public Library
The Creative Studio, Niles-Maine District Library, Niles
The Makery, Homewood Public Library
Forge, Ela Area Library, Lake Zurich
The Collaboratory, Northbrook Public Library
The BoomBox, Skokie Public Library
The Launchpad, Indian Trails Library District, Wheeling
The Studio, Winnetka Public Library
See our Events tab to learn where to go and what to do around Chicagoland for STEM and Maker fun!
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