Lexington Public Library

Website Search

Search Website
Displaying results 1 - 25 of 41

The Eastside Branch Makerspace, located at 3000 Blake James Drive, is a collaborative workspace for ages 13 and up to make, learn , explore, and share, free of charge. Staff are available during open studio hours to assist in projects of all kinds, or contact Makerspace staff to schedule one-on-one help. Not sure where to start? The Eastside Makerspace also offers regular workshops that introduce participants to new skills, technology, and equipment. Planning to bring a group of 10 or more? Please contact us by calling 859-231-5500 ext.2207 or using the link below.

Sample projects

Engrave a welcome sign, 3D print a business card holder, laminate a sign for your classroom, print a banner for your next event, make a personalized magnet for your refrigerator, sew a quilt block, or cut a vinyl design for your water bottle.

The Marksbury Family Branch Makerspace, located at 2197 Versailles Road, is an inclusive space where customers of all ages can come to learn, create, and explore together, free of charge. Outfitted with current high-tech and low-tech tools, the Makerspace is designed to promote education and cultivate a do-it-yourself spirit for the whole family. Customers ages 7 and under must be accompanied by a responsible caregiver. Planning to bring a group of 10 or more? Please contact us by calling 859-231-5500 ext.2822 or using the link below.

Sample projects

Engrave a bookmark for your next read, design matching t-shirts for your family vacation, personalize a coffee mug, embroider a t-shirt, or print fun stickers for your new business.

Several pieces of equipment require additional supplies such as PLA filament, vinyl, and metal backings. Some supplies are available for purchase in our learning spaces. Customers ages 13 and up who have signed the Experiential Learning Agreement and Equipment Use Policy, which is available to sign in-person at any of the four learning spaces, and live in Fayette County or a reciprocal county receive an $8 credit each month for material purchases. If you exceed this credit, you can still purchase additional supplies using credit, Mobile App Pay or Mobile Pay, or tapping to pay.

Highlight

The Lexington Public Library is home to four collaborative creative spaces for making, learning, exploring, and sharing. These spaces offer a variety of events, high-tech and low-tech equipment for patron use, and serve as a space to build community, explore your creativity, and develop personal interests.

Sample projects

Film a music video, 3D print a fidget toy, digitize old family photos, sew a costume or mend your favorite pair of pants, embroider a t-shirt, comb bind a book, start a podcast, record in the audio booth, create content with the green screen, make custom magnets or buttons, engrave a keychain, print a poster, make custom stickers, and more.

Highlight

Find out what's happening at our locations.  Browse upcoming events and discover our dedicated learning spaces.  Reserve a meeting room.  Explore our galleries and special collections.

The Lexington Public Library welcomes your time and talents! There are a number of volunteer opportunities available, and we will accommodate your preferences for location and hours as much as possible based on what we have available. From After School programs, to ESOL programs, to Makerspace open studio help, and beyond—we have a variety of opportunities for you to connect with your community through volunteering.

Embroidery machine

Button makers

Make buttons and magnets using equipment and supplies available in the Makerspace.

The Eastside Makerspace offers 1.25” and 2.25” button makers for buttons and magnets. The Marksbury Family Branch Makerspace offers 2.25” button makers for buttons and magnets and 1” button makers for keychains, earrings, and paperclip bookmarks. Button, magnet keychain, earring, and bookmark materials are available to purchase.

Visit the following learning spaces to get started.

Button maker
Embroidery machine

Heat presses

Use a variety of heat presses to transfer your original designs on to personal items.

The Marksbury Family Branch Makerspace has an automated heat press, large and small handheld presses, sublimation printer, and Cricut machines. The Eastside Makerspace has a small handheld press, automated heat press, and Cricut machines. Please supply your own personal items to transfer on to. Sublimation paper and heat transfer vinyl are available for purchase, or you can use your own free of charge. Speak with a staff member before bringing or using your own materials.

Visit the following learning spaces to get started.

Heat presses
Embroidery machine

Large-format printers

Print your large-format designs on paper and vinyl. Printer size varies by location.

The Eastside Makerspace’s 24” printer is compatible with paper, photo paper, and banner vinyl. The Marksbury Family Branch Makerspace’s 20” printer is compatible with photo paper, sticker paper, banner vinyl, and heat transfer vinyl. Paper and vinyl are available for purchase and are priced per linear foot.  

Visit the following learning spaces to get started.

Large-format printer/cutter
Embroidery machine

Laser engraver

Engraver sizes varies by location. Cut wood or engrave on wood, metal, stone, leather, glass and more. 

The Eastside Makerspace machine can hold items up to 19.6 x 12.5 x 5 inches. The Marksbury Family Branch Makerspace machine can hold smaller items like coasters and keychains up to 4.53 x 4.53 inches. Some items are available to purchase in the space, including keychains, business cards, coasters, and bookmarks.

Visit the following learning spaces to get started.

Laser engraver
Embroidery machine

Sewing machines

Sewing machines are available to use for basic sewing projects. Needles, notions, and threads are provided in the Makerspace. Please bring your own material, as well as thread if you require something specific. 

Sewing machine brand varies by location.

Visit the following learning spaces to get started.

Sewing machine
Embroidery machine

Laminator

Laminate printed materials. Lamination is priced per page or linear foot, depending on the machine you use. 

The Eastside Makerspace offers a large-format laminator that can laminate items up to 24 inches wide. Both Makerspaces and the Northside Digital Studio offer a pouch laminator that can laminate 8.5 x 11-inch or 11 x 17-inch items.

Visit the following learning spaces to get started.

Laminator
Highlight

Have a question?  Ask us!  You can contact us via email, phone, chat, or text.  Book a librarian for one-on-one help.  Suggest a purchase to help us improve our collection.

-
Eastside Branch - Makerspace
Join us in the Eastside Makerspace to explore techniques for painting tabletop gaming miniatures, terrain, and props. All supplies will be provided. Ages 13+ *Registration Recommended*
-
Eastside Branch - Makerspace
Join us in the Eastside Makerspace for a class on using the Cricut Maker vinyl cutter. We will be creating designs to make your own custom water bottles. For Ages 13+
-
Eastside Branch - Makerspace
Join us in the Eastside Makerspace for a class on using the Cricut Maker vinyl cutter. We will be creating designs to make your own custom water bottles. For Ages 13+
Embroidery machine

CNC router

Use this router for small scale wood milling. Available by appointment only. Please supply your own personal items for milling.

The machine can hold items with a maximum size of 8 x 8 x 3 inches. Speak with an Eastside Makerspace staff member to schedule an appointment to use the CNC router. 

Visit the following learning spaces to get started.

CNC Router
Embroidery machine

Cricut machines

Cricut machines can cut 12 x 24-inch vinyl, fabric, and paper products. 12 x 12-inch transfer tape, permanent vinyl, and heat transfer vinyl are available for purchase, or you can use your own materials free of charge. Speak with a staff member before use if you are bringing your own materials. 

Visit the following learning spaces to get started.

Cricut machine
Embroidery machine

Tabletop kiln

Fire small pieces made of precious metal clay. Available by appointment only. Please supply your own personal materials for firing.

The machine can hold items with a maximum size of 2.5 x 1.5 inches. Speak with an Eastside Makerspace staff member to schedule an appointment to use the tabletop kiln. 

Visit the following learning spaces to get started.

Tabletop kiln
-
Eastside Branch
Join us at the Eastside Makerspace as we explore creative ways to design pins. We will transform out-of-circulation books into unique pin-back buttons. Ages 13+ only. Registration Recommended.