Ellen Brandt is a librarian at the Blanchard Middle School in Westford, MA
On Saturday, November 7th, a group of school librarians visited the Creativity Lab at the Peabody Institute. (Thank you to Cathy Collins - MassCUE Makerspace SIG co-leader- for organizing this field trip!)
Michael Ahearn, the Programming Librarian for the Creativity Lab, was our guide. He has been involved with the project since the beginning and is perfect for the job; he spent his own teen years as an active patron of the Peabody Institute and he majored in “Computer Science” and “Comparative Media Studies” in college.
The Peabody Institute announced the opening of its Creativity Lab in the Summer of 2013.
The Lab has been open for business since early 2014. (The teen recording studio was made possible through an earlier grant)
The Peabody Institute announced the opening of its Creativity Lab in the Summer of 2013.
The Lab has been open for business since early 2014. (The teen recording studio was made possible through an earlier grant)
The Creativity Lab was developed largely through the work of community volunteers, divided into smaller groups, each with a specific focus (e.g. physical space, materials, donations, Short Term Action Team, etc). The teams figured out details such as what model 3D printers to buy, what equipment to offer, programming and logistics such as scheduling, training, safety.
Their useful list of materials is available online for aspiring maker space creators: http://www.peabodylibrary.org/creativitylab/tools.html
Their useful list of materials is available online for aspiring maker space creators: http://www.peabodylibrary.org/creativitylab/tools.html
The current programs are based on practical and high interest focus areas, as well as on growing areas of expertise of Mike and the teen librarian, but programming continues to grow and expand. They are working on additional collaborations with other community organizations (theater: set design, artist workshops, science fairs).
The Creativity Lab offers two main types of experiences: Open Lab and Workshops.
Closed lab space options also occur when community groups book time in the Creativity Lab.
Anyone is welcome in the lab, but all participants must register and sign a waiver.
Patrons must complete training before using certain machines.
Labels are used to specify age requirements on some tools and equipment (e.g., yellow = must be at least 9 years old, red = must be at least 16 years old).
Closed lab space options also occur when community groups book time in the Creativity Lab.
Anyone is welcome in the lab, but all participants must register and sign a waiver.
Patrons must complete training before using certain machines.
Labels are used to specify age requirements on some tools and equipment (e.g., yellow = must be at least 9 years old, red = must be at least 16 years old).
The Lab also has a wood shop area, but, in order to limit sawdust, it is mostly hand tools. They are thinking about converting their outdoor cage area into a (fair weather) power tool area.
To help with operating expenses, they welcome donations of funds, tools and materials.
The vast majority of the sewing machines and all the fabrics and sewing materials were donated by patrons.
They repurposed an old card catalog to organize sewing supplies.
Jezebel, the mannequin, keeps an eye on the lab.
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