Toddler Tourist

Orillia Public Library’s Makerspace

—by Hillary Handy

Makespace is a happening place! If you haven’t been or don’t know what I’m talking about, this is your sign to head to the Orillia Public Library. Located on the second floor, it’s a designated space for creating! Opened in November 2022, this is still a fairly new activity centre that creators of all ages can check out. There are opportunities to use a 3D printer, laser cutter, large-scale printer, and vinyl cutter, to name a few. Everyone seems to love the Cricut these days and you can use the Library’s! My kids love to make their own buttons with the button-maker. It’s so much fun and such an easy way to create a piece that can fit all those theme days at school or is a cute gift!

Those VHS tapes with your party footage from 1993…You can transfer to make digital files! You can scan old photo negatives. You can make your own birthday banner. You can finally hem those pants on their sewing machine! If you can dream it, it seems the pros at the Makerspace can help you make it happen. 

Makerspace is also in tune with the calendar. The thematic activities that pop up around holidays are always a hit. The Toddler Tourist and entourage loved making a Trick-or-Treat Bag with sublimation ink and their own colouring. It was awesome…and FREE! Some supplies have a minimal cost to them, others are free to participate in depending on the activity. All you need is an Orillia Public Library card to participate or if out of our area, purchase a Paid Membership. 

We were able to have some incredible support with creating ASL-inspired shirts for our school’s sign language club. The staff were so helpful in helping us with our design, the execution and creation of the shirts, as well as buttons for club members. 

The Orillia Public Library just announced recent funding from the Government of Canada’s Community Service Recovery Fund. This $46,600 grant was for improvements in the ventilation as well as accessibility and was scheduled to be completed in April. With summer on the horizon, these upgrades will only make the space EVEN BETTER! 

While you may not have the time during the year to get to all those projects, summer allows for more time to engage in your favourite activities. This is also a great space to check out on those lazy, rainy summer days. Make sure to put a trip to the Makerspace on your summer bucket list. Be sure to check the Orillia Public Library website for the full schedule of times and details. There are specific Makerspace hours that are different from the Library hours. To use high traffic items, like the 3D printer, you need to book an appointment. Other programs are drop-in.  Learn more here: https://www.orilliapubliclibrary.ca/en/services/makerspace.aspx 

What will YOU create this summer? Tag us in your photos on social media. We would love to see!