Welcome to the Create and Connect Makerspace: Unleashing creativity and telling stories through shared experiences.
Our project request will enable the library to provide opportunities for creative exploration to all residents of the community. The Leeds and the Thousand Islands area is abundant with craft professionals and hobbyists. If the library were successful with our L.E.A.F. Grant application, we would be excited to explore even more partnerships with our community members as we continue to strengthen relationships with our existing ones.
We have a desire to re-invent the space in our Lansdowne branch to create a Makerspace which would include a Cricut machine, laser printer and S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) activity kits. As always, there is a commitment to ensure resources are equally available to all branches in the Leeds and the Thousand Islands Public Library System.
The Create and Connect Makerspace will also be used as an opportunity to provide intergenerational programs and an “Expert in Residence” series to learn and share together, using experience to create memories along with life-long learning in the inclusive space which the library provides. In the Fall of 2025, we have already introduced our “Gardener in Residence”.
The 4 Cs of Makerspace (Creativity, Critical Thinking, Collaboration and Communication) illustrates that age is not a restriction to the endless possibilities for a community to be successful. Makerspaces also create community culture and engagement in a shared learning environment through real-world applications provided in an all-inclusive space for creative expression.
Recent community surveys (both conducted by the library and the municipal recreational working group) have stated the need and desire for Makerspace opportunities. Leeds and the Thousand Islands Public Library, through municipal funding, have a programming budget which provides Makerspace-like and S.T.E.M. type programs, but a L.E.A.F Grant will greatly enhance these programs into a physical space which will elevate us to the next level of programs we can offer and also build on in the future.
The societal and community impact of Makerspaces reveals how we approach education, community engagement and economic development, bringing people together from diverse backgrounds while encouraging collaboration and knowledge sharing.
As the physical infrastructure is being updated in our growing community, we have a responsibility to update our social infrastructure as well, and including a Makerspace in our library will make this a reality.
support
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Our library is a beehive of activity in our community. A Makerspace will help us to grow even more, providing new and varied experiences for our citizens.
This library is a beloved community hub that attracts users of all ages. Staff are continuously looking for new resources and programs to provide.
Developing the Libraries ability to expose residence of all ages to science and technology is a win win.
It sounds like a great idea for all that use the library.
The library is so useful for everything information. It would be great to have a makers space as well.
I support this project for the library.