At the Library 5/28/26

 Happy Birthday to The MakeIT Place!

Next month, we’ll be celebrating the second birthday of The MakeIT Place — and what an incredible two years it has been!

When we first opened the makerspace, we hoped it would become a place where people could learn new skills, explore creativity, and try out equipment they might not otherwise have access to. What we’ve discovered is that The MakeIT Place has become something even more important: a place where community is created alongside the things people make.

Over the past two years, certified users have logged an amazing 4,648 hours using the space. We now have 328 certified users, and 3,255 people have participated in programs, workshops, and classes connected to The MakeIT Place.

Those numbers represent far more than pottery pieces, laser-cut projects, or 3D prints. They represent conversations, friendships, collaboration, and the confidence that comes from learning something new. We’ve seen people teach one another techniques, share ideas across generations, and discover talents they didn’t know they had.

The impact of The MakeIT Place has also extended far beyond the walls of the makerspace itself. The 1,264 volunteer hours logged at the library in the last year have been primarily connected to MakeIT Place activities and projects. That spirit of volunteerism and shared ownership has helped us begin one of our most exciting community history initiatives: the Washington Evening Journal photo digitization project. Volunteers and makerspace tools are helping preserve and share local history for future generations.

As we celebrate this milestone, we’re also looking ahead. Makerspaces (and public libraries!) are always evolving, and we want The MakeIT Place to continue growing in ways that serve our community’s interests and needs.

What would you like to see added, changed, or expanded in The MakeIT Place? Are there classes, tools, technologies, or creative opportunities you’d like us to explore? We’d love to hear your ideas as we plan for the future.

Thank you to everyone who has taken a class, volunteered, experimented with a new tool, or simply walked through the door curious to learn. The MakeIT Place belongs to the community, and its success over the past two years is something we’re proud to celebrate together.