The Atascadero Library is unveiling a new makerspace program, the A-Town Create Space Monday.
A library makerspace is an area that gives kids the opportunity to create intellectual and physical materials with resources provided by the library like computers, 3D printers, video editing tools and traditional arts and crafts supplies.
A-Town Create Space targets middle school students and will include activities like snap circuits, gravity maze, craft activities like making jewelry, origami and sewing. The library staff the types of programs the library should offer by conducting surveys, forums and a prototype program since April.
A press release from the Atascadero Library said the goal is to eventually expand the program to younger students and take the A-Town Create Space project to smaller branches in more rural areas like Northern San Luis Obispo County, libraries in Santa Margarita, Creston and California Valley.
"The Atascadero Library hopes to create attractive services to a difficult to reach population by listening to tweens and teens, finding their interests; and then to provide creative opportunities that build on these interests," said Jackie Kinsey, north county regional librarian. "There is very little maker programming outside of the schools in Atascadero, and the library is perfectly set to fulfill that local interest."
Library staff and administrators hope to eventually collaborate with community organizations and school on this project.
The program will start in late July.
