The lab—a partnership of Harris County, Lone Star College, HCA Houston Healthcare and Tomball entities—is located on the library’s second floor and offers community members of all ages a place to learn new skills and use the provided equipment for educational, work or entertainment purposes, Library Director Janna Hoglund said. The lab features a vinyl cutter; a laser printer; two 3D printers and a 3D scanner; virtual reality equipment; sewing and leather working tools; power tools; robotics sets and other technology. The library will offer programs as well as open hours in the lab.
“We want to make it unique,” Hoglund said. “We want it to be a place where it’s adjusted to our community based on their feedback. This way, it will be very well used, and it will bring a huge positive impact in different ages.”
The equipment is free to use once patrons attend an orientation, but materials are supplied—at a charge—for only the 3D printers.
The lab is the fourth maker lab in the Harris County Public Library system and the first on the north side of the Greater Houston area, Hoglund said.
