The creative space for your holiday crafts and innovative ideas

Whether you are a hands-on, make-it-from-scratch kind of person, or aspiring to be one with a little guidance, the Kathleen Syme Library’s Makerspace is the creative hub to be at. 

Set to close from December 19, with a reopening date of January 17, now is the time to make the most of its offerings or to begin thinking about the creative aspirations you wish to pursue in 2023. 

Open from Tuesday through to Thursday, the space is the ideal place to experiment and upskill with its free offerings of crafting, digital designing, engineering, coding, and music and video production. 

Since it opened, Lord Mayor Sally Capp said the Makerspace had only continued to provide many “wonderful offerings” and been “filled to the brim with all kinds of innovative technologies”. 

“Perfect for young and old, our Makerspace is a place to unleash your creativity and learn new skills – from 3D printing and laser cutting, to sewing and airbrush painting,” Cr Capp said. 

An ideal spot for an end-of-year trip, the Makerspace can also be booked by community groups, schools, and businesses, to encourage creative ideas to flourish and grow through sharing and feedback. 

Equipment and technology, such as guitar pedals, stem kits, robotic kits, and computer accessories, can also be borrowed by people wanting to work on certain skills outside of the library.

And for anyone unsure where to start upon rocking up, City of Melbourne staff will be on-hand at the library to offer one-on-one support, and to connect visitors with online learning modules and knowledge resources.

Because no matter your level of skill or knowledge, the space is one that encourages and welcomes newcomers to learn and have questions about what they don’t know. 

“Our Makerspace is a wonderful, welcoming spot for everyone in the community to come and try something new, and our friendly library staff are always near by to lend a helping hand if you need it,” Cr Capp said.

Further on from the usual day-to-day running, the Makerspace has also been host to a range of community events this year, from clothing repair workshops, to robotic technology sessions, community days, and game making days.

Following its break over the Christmas period, locals can be assured that Makerspace’s return in 2023 will only be bigger and better, as it continues to strive to be the creative space to be when it comes to fostering and shaping new ideas. 

As well as the Makerspace at Kathleen Syme Library, a space can also one found at Library at the Dock, and a similar Make*It Space is at the Elizabeth Street Pop-up Library. •