The L.E.A.F. Initiative is a Commonwell program to support capacity, resiliency and growth in the communities we call home.

Orangeville Public Library Creation Lab (makerspace)

275 Alder Street OrangevilleL9W 5H6

Target Completion Date: December 31, 2022

What is this project about?

To create a collaborative space to engage the community with innovative opportunities for learning, creation and discovery. The Creation Lab (makerspace) will house a variety of high-tech equipment and low-tech activities to inspire users of all ages. Children and teens can explore introduction to coding and robotics. Small business owners can make prototypes, design promotional materials or create professional videos. Crafters can use the equipment to make something great with high-tech tools or digitize cherished family memories.

To serve all these audiences, the equipment will focus on creating a Maker Lab, Media Lab and STEAM programming for children and teens. The new community space will be suitable for multiple users including individuals, library program participants and external community groups.

The new Creation Lab will be located at the Alder Street branch in the community recreation centre. The recreation centre is close to a high school and elementary schools and is fully accessible to ensure access for all users. By providing everyone in Orangeville with access to technology and resources at no charge, a makerspace not only inspires lifelong learning, but also supports the library’s commitment to equity and inclusion.

The library will invest in staff training to develop the skills and expertise to teach the community how to use the equipment. The library will also form strategic partnerships to market the service, be responsive to ongoing community needs and recruit experts and professionals to teach courses within the facility. Examples of community partners include; Small Business Enterprise Centre, Orangeville BIA, Town of Orangeville’s Community Services Division (summer camps and outreach), schools, and community groups such as Scouts and Girl Guides.

Why is this project important to the community?

Libraries bring people together, build relationships and foster lifelong learning. A strategically placed makerspace will strengthen our ability to provide a place of community connection. It also responds to community aspirations as this proposal is based on community engagement. This summer the library conducted its first community-wide survey. We received more than 1500 responses. Orangeville residents showed a strong interest in a community space for creation and collaboration. Question: Which of the following programs, services and resources will be most important to you in future? 31.41% selected: “Maker labs (3-D printers, simple robotics, coding, film making, photo editing, laser cutters, etc.)” Residents of Orangeville also contributed hundreds of comments, including a desire for more school-age programming. They requested more STEAM, coding and robotics programs for hands-on learning. For many residents, public libraries are the primary access point for a variety of technology. Libraries play a pivotal role in addressing the digital divide. The Creation Lab will allow all residents to build technology skills that will be essential for future educational opportunities and employment. The Creation Lab will also assist entrepreneurs in our community. The library will work closely with the Orangeville & Area Small Business Enterprise Centre (SBEC) and other business associations on this initiative to support local innovators.