Welcome to RLPL’s MakerSpace!
The Maker Space is located at the South Elmlsey Branch of Rideau Lakes Public Library and is open during regular library hours. Patrons are welcome to explore our gadgets cabinets and explore the space.
We will be running Saturdays at the Makerspace in the fall! To see what will be planned for Saturdays visit our event calendar.
You may contact maker@rlpl.ca
What’s a MakerSpace?
It’s your place at Rideau Lakes Public Library to build, create, tinker, design and play. We supply cool gadgets, machines, games, and new tech for you to try; you supply the creativity!
Learn more below!
What’s at the Maker Space?
Hands On
Building
- LEGO
- Cardboard MakeDo tools
- U-build-it Peg Board station
Crafting
- Cricut vinyl cutter (Training and waiver form required)
- Papercrafts and art supplies
- Button Maker (Staff supervision and workshops only, contact Laura Lee lauralee@rlpl.ca)
- DieCutter (Located at the Main Branch in Elgin, book a time with Laura Lee lauralee@rlpl.ca)
Tech
Robotics and circuitry
- Ozobots
- Cue, the Robot
- LEGO BOOST kit
- Makey Makey kits
- Raspberry Pi
Equipment and computers
- 3D Printer (Training and waiver required)
- Green Screen (Staff supervision and workshops only, contact Laura Lee lauralee@rlpl.ca)
- Laptops and printer
- iPad
- Coming soon: cardboard goggles with smartphones to try out our new Immersive Reality (IR) Bookes and other virtual reality apps.
How do I use the MakerSpace?
MakerSpace Essentials
The MakerSpace is open during branch hours. Some equipment is available depending on time and staff availability or it may be in use for another event or workshop.
Check ahead with staff (maker@rlpl.ca) if you want to use something or if you have questions.
The MakerSpace is your space to play and explore; please keep it tidy!
To use some of the special equipment in the MakerSpace, you must review and sign our user agreement form and take on some training.
Printing & Material Costs
There are small fees for using our printing and cutting tools to cover the cost of materials.
For full details, please download our guide. We also have a quick table for reference below.
Access to equipment and tools maybe limited during times when we have more creators in our space!
If you would like to help our MakerSpace grow, we greatly appreciate donations!
Quick Reference Costs & Use Guidance
| Costs | Maximum | |
| 3D Printer | 10¢/ g of PLA filament | 250 g |
| Cricut Maker | 50¢/sheet paper $5/vinyl print $7/iron-on print You are welcome to bring your own materials to experiment. | Vinyl maximum 12” 12 Paper maximum 50 pages Subject to how many creators are in the MakerSpace wanting to use this tool. |
| Button Maker | 1st one free. 25¢ – all sizes | Maximum 25 buttons / visit |
| Die Cutter (Elgin Branch) | Bring your own material | One hour on the die cutter |
Print Centre Guidelines
- Plan ahead to complete your print job 1/2 hour before the library closes.
- If you want to make more than the maximum allowance please contact us.
- To be part of the creation process, please stay with and check often while your project is printing.
- Printing images, models or parts of offensive items of any size is not permitted.
- Prints must not infringe on any provincial or federal laws, including copyright and intellectual property rights.
- You may bring your own materials (paper, fabric, etc.) for the Cricut machine and die cutter (Elgin Branch location) but they must be compatible with our equipment.
3D Printer Tips
The best place to start is here, by reading our step-by-step 3D printing instructions, and checking out these videos!
For extra information: you can also download this 3D Printing Guide PDF
Cricut Tips
Jennifer Maker’s YouTube Channel is an excellent resource for all things Cricut.
This introductory video showing steps for a first project is required:
We also have Jennifer’s Playbook available in print in the MakerSpace to review on site.
To book a time to use the Cricut contact southelmsley@rlpl.ca. Watch for upcoming workshops! Subscribe to our newsletter.