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

Stirling-Rawdon Public Library Makerspace

43 West Front St. Stirling, ONK0K 3EO

Target Completion Date: March 31, 2023

What is this project about?

Our goal is to offer ongoing programs for personal, educational, recreational and cultural enrichment for patrons and community members of all ages. The Library will seek to establish a ‘Makerspace’ passive programming area within the library to provide resources to patrons looking to learn in new and creative ways. We want to acquire new and emerging technological materials and develop in-person events for all ages to encourage participation and use of the space.

We wish to create an area within the children’s department that offers library patrons an opportunity to create using resources that the library makes available. It would be a place for hands-on learning with all the tools for creativity. We want to invite users to create, explore and learn with high-tech tools. We wish to purchase new technology offerings such as robotics toys, 3D doodle pens, STEM toys and the more traditional items such as building blocks, Lego and craft supplies as well as custom built shelving fitted to the space to house these materials and equipment.

Our plan is to have cabinets installed for storage with a space that children can create at. This will be a passive programming area that is open at all times the library is open for children, teens and parents to come in and use. We want to have different supplies and building toys available at all times to encourage creative play and building. We will also develop active programs with the equipment purchased for children to learn the different technologies that are more structured.

Why is this project important to the community?

Last fall, the Stirling-Rawdon Public Library put out a survey to get feedback on areas the community would like to see us focus on as a step in determining our Strategic Plan for the next four years. One of those areas is to create a dedicated Makerspace within the library. Our patrons have enjoyed any programs we have offered that have incorporated technology and creativity and we would love to continue to be able to offer these programs. The Township of Stirling-Rawdon is a rural community. Children and youth within the community do not have the same access to technology as they would in a larger city. Other than what is available through their school there is no other location within Stirling-Rawdon that offers the chance to experiment with different technologies. Also being able to offer this access free of charge removes barriers from those who cannot afford to purchase these types of things for their own individual families. We hope to help bridge that gap by being able to offer a makerspace containing STEM equipment and materials that children can use to enhance their learning and creativity. Hands-on, unstructured learning helps develop creativity, increasing social skills, problem solving and critical thinking. The ability to think critically leads to innovation and the potential to change the world. We want to encourage the children in our community to develop those skills that will continue to help them throughout their lives. Opportunities for teens are slim in our community. Developing programs that teens can attend or providing volunteer opportunities where they can assist with programs and act as mentors to those younger than them fills a gap that exists in our community. This will allow teens to develop skills that will be useful to them in the long term, such as time management, problem solving, customer service and other transferable skills that will help them acquire jobs. In developing programs for this project we will utilize community members for local talents who will be able to assist us, such as speakers/teachers for workshops, volunteers to help run different programs and finding local businesses to install cabinets or purchase supplies from. Stirling-Rawdon Public Library serves a population of 5015, based on the 2021 census for Stirling-Rawdon Township. 1,065 of those people are under the age of 19. We also do not limit access to library programs based on location or whether they have a library card so community members from neighboring municipalities are welcome to come in and use the space as well.