Thanks to a grant from the Library Services and Technology Act and the support and enthusiasm from the Brighton community, the grand opening of Anythink Brighton’s teen makerspace is scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2012, from 3:30-6 pm, and coincides with the library’s annual Gifts from the Heart program. Community members of all ages are invited to tour the space, experiment with its new tools, participate in hands-on crafts and enjoy refreshments.

 

Makerspaces are creative community workspaces where people can build and experiment with art, craft and technology projects while sharing tools and ideas with other community members. The makerspace at Anythink Brighton will serve as an idea lab and creation space for teens to explore their creativity and cultivate their imaginations in interactive, hands-on ways. Incorporated into Anythink Brighton’s multipurpose room, the makerspace gives teens free access to state-of-the-art tools and materials for crafts, robotics, textile design, digital photography and 3D printing. Also included is a “computer guts” area where teens can take apart a computer to learn how all of its parts work together.

“These days, it’s hard to get hands-on access to anything for free,” says Anythink Brighton manager Dara Schmidt. “There’s no place where you can just walk in and use a sewing machine or print a 3D action figure. There’s no place you can go for free and say, ‘Let’s try and take this computer apart and see what happens.’”

With the opening of the makerspace, Anythink Brighton staff will be able to mentor teens in the space to support learning, inspire creativity, and nurture opportunities for the next entrepreneur, inventor or artist to emerge. They will also use the space to enhance and expand the library’s existing programs for all ages.

Anythink Brighton’s makerspace was made possible with the help of an $18,849 grant from the Library Services and Technology Act, funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The makerspace at Anythink Brighton and the upcoming digital learning lab at Anythink Wright Farms – tentatively scheduled to open in March 2013 – both highlight Anythink’s vision for the future, to be a place where creativity and innovation are supported by technology. The district hopes to open more of these creation labs at additional locations moving forward.

Event Details

Anythink Brighton Makerspace
Grand Opening

Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2012
3:30-6 pm

 

Anythink Brighton
327 E. Bridge St.
Brighton, CO 80206

Tour the library’s new makerspace, experiment with some of the space’s new tools and enjoy refreshments. Gifts from the Heart festivities will be happening simultaneously, making the event fun for the whole family. Free and open to the public.