Makerspace

Welcome to the Makerspace!

Note: The Glowforge Laser Cutter is currently out of service. We apologize for the inconvenience.

We are excited to welcome you to our Makerspace! We invite patrons of all ages to try out new technologies and creative tools including our:

3D printing station
sewing machine
vinyl cutter
laser cutter
VHS conversion station
button maker
and so much more

Upcoming Events

-PA Day: Secret Mission!

Stop by the Makerspace on Friday, May 2 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. to level up your master spy toolkit and build your very own periscope - an essential tool for top secret missions! No registration required. (Recommended for ages 4+)

-Mother's Day Gifts in the Makerspace

Drop-in to the Makerspace on Saturday, May 10 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. to create a card and special keepsake! No registration required. (Recommended for ages 4+.)

FAQs

When is the Makerspace Open?

The Makerspace will be open:
- Tuesday to Thursday each week from 1:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.*
- Alternating Fridays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Upcoming Friday Hours .

Friday, May 9: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Friday, May 23: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

*Please note: The Makerspace will have adjusted hours on the following dates:

Thursday, May 1: Open 1-3 p.m.
Friday, May 9: Open 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. for PA Day Drop-In only
Thursday, May 8: Open 1-5 p.m. (Open for Teen Maker Night from 6-7 p.m.)
Saturday, May 10: Open 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. for Mother's Day Drop-In Activity only
Thursday, May 15: Open 1-5 p.m.
Tuesday, May 21: Open 1-5 p.m.
Monday, May 27: Open 1-4 p.m.

What can I create in the Makerspace?

The possibilities are endless! Laser cut a personalized puzzle, 3D print spare parts, create personalized t-shirts, print posters for your events and so much more! Do you have a project in mind but not sure where to start? Contact us and we'll help guide you in your creative process!

Who Can Use the Makerspace?

The OPL Makerspace is available to anyone with a valid Orillia Public Library card and who has signed the Makerspace Agreement. If you don't have a library card, you can learn more about membership options here. Anyone who is not eligible for a free Orillia Public Library card must purchase a paid membership to use Makerspace equipment.

Do I need to make a booking?

Booking is recommended to ensure availability. Please fill out our Makerspace Booking Form and a staff member will be in touch to confirm your time.

Walk-ins are welcome, however equipment use and staff assistance will be subject to availability. Those who have made appointments will have priority access to equipment and staff time.

Patrons may only have one future booking at a time. Once a scheduled appointment is complete, you will be welcome to make another booking.

Due to the demand in the Makerspace, we may be required to cancel your appointment if you are more than 15 minutes late for your booking.

Can I bring my own materials?

Most equipment in the Makerspace can become damaged if the wrong types of materials are used. For this reason, we provide approved materials to use in our machines (some at an additional cost). If you would like to bring in your own material, it must be approved by a Makerspace staff member.

Customers under 13 years of age need to be accompanied by an adult to use Maker equipment.

Laser Cutting (Currently Out of Service)

Equipment: Glowforge Plus (Please note: The Glowforge is currently OUT OF SERVICE. We apologize for the inconvenience.)

The Glowforge 3D laser printer etches and cuts designs into a variety of materials such as wood and leather using a CO2 laser.

Cost: Base fee of $3 plus $2 per half hour of printing. Materials extra. Please contact for availability.

Book the Glowforge for up to two hours at a time. (Booking recommended.)

3D Printing

Equipment: The OPL Makerspace houses 3 Bambu P1P 3D printers

How to Use the OPL 3D Printers:

At the OPL Makerspace, there are two ways to print!

Guided Hands-On Experience: You can book an appointment for an in-person, hands-on session where staff will guide you through the 3D printing process. We'll help you select your file for printing, resize your item, select your colour and show you how to operate our 3D printers!
Online Submission: You can submit your 3D design files through the library’s 3D printing submission form.

Pricing:

Printing Fee: $0.75 for every 30 minutes of printing time.
Handling Fee (Online Submissions Only): $5 for the first file, and $3 for each additional file.

Notes About Online Submission:

Once we receive your file, we’ll email you with a cost estimate for your approval before printing.
While we aim to complete your print as quickly as possible, turnaround times may vary. If you have a specific deadline, let us know in your submission notes and we'll do our best!
Our staff cannot modify your files. If you require a specific size, let us know in your submission notes! Otherwise, we’ll print them at the size you provide.
Colors are subject to availability. Visit the OPL Makerspace to check out the current selection!
3D printers, including online submission, are only available to Orillia Public Library members in good standing.

More questions? View our 3D Printer FAQ page.

Cricut

Equipment: Cricut Explore

A Cricut is an electronic cutting machine. It cuts, scores, and draws on a variety of materials including vinyl, iron-on material, paper and more!

Cost: The Cricut is free to use. Bring your own materials or use ours for an additional cost.

Cricut Basic Vinyl - $3 per 12x12 inch piece of material
Cricut Everyday Iron-On - $7 per 12x12 inch piece of material

Book the Cricut for up to two hours. (Booking recommended.)

Sewing Machine

Equipment: Brother SE 600 Sewing Machine

Cost: Free

Book the sewing machine for up to two hours. (Booking recommended.)

Poster Printing

Equipment: imagePROGRAPH TA-20

Create posters and large prints up to 24x36 inches.

Cost: $15 per print.

Please email your file to makerspace@orilliapubliclibrary.ca and we will let you know when it is ready for pick-up.

VHS Conversion

Equipment: VHS-to-Digital Converter

Our VHS-to-Digital conversion station allows you to make copies of your personal VHS or VHS-C recordings. Recordings can be saved to a recordable DVD-R disk, a USB flash drive (minimum 5 GB recommended), or upload your digital files to the cloud to create a digital copy ready for playback.

Equipment is self-serve. Staff will give you an overview of the equipment and assist with any technical issues. (The videotape will play and record in real time—in other words, if you have a two-hour videotape, it will take two hours to create a digital copy.)

Cost: $2 per VHS tape transfer

UBS sticks and DVD-R discs can be purchased in the Makerspace, or bring your own.

$2 per DVD-R disc
$10 per USB stick

Booking is recommended. Book the VHS Conversion Station now. (Our standard booking is two hours. However, if you wish to book a longer session, please let us know in the booking comments. Depending on the length of your tape, you may have to make multiple appointments.)

Please note: This machine is for use with personal VHS recordings only. Duplication of licensed work is an infringement of copyright law and is not permitted.

Foldio

Equipment: Foldio

The Foldio portable photo studio and turn table allows you to take professional level photos of your products and Makerspace projects! The Foldio i2 24x24x20 inches in size.

Cost: Free

Book the Foldio for up to two hours. (Booking recommended.)

iMac Computer

Equipment: iMac Computer

This iMac computer is loaded with software to help you create your digital masterpiece.

Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Photoshop
Garage Band
iMovie
Photos
Inkscape

Book the iMac for up to two hours. (Booking recommended.)

Button Maker

Equipment: Button Maker

Create personalized pin-back buttons using the button press.

Cost:

$$0.50

Book the Button Maker for up to two hours at a time. (Booking recommended.)