Magnolia’s Malcolm Purvis Library debuted its makerspace on Nov. 9, providing shared access to advanced machinery where patrons can learn new skills and create.
Zooming in
The Malcolm Purvis Library is the second branch in the Montgomery County Memorial Library System to get what the system calls an innovation space — where the public can use machinery like a Cricut, 3D printers and embroidery machines at little or no cost.
At a ceremony celebrating the opening of the innovation space, Montgomery County Memorial Library System Executive Director Janna Hoglund said the space is meant to motivate people of all ages “to come and learn new 21st century skills.”
“Learning computers and being able to operate technology is extremely important,” Hoglund said, “because everywhere you go, every step of our life, it is technology based.”
Hoglund said the space is about learning, innovation, collaboration and even socializing. As part of the innovation space, hands-on science activities, STEM kits, robotics coding and a large touchscreen video wall targeted for children are available. The idea, Hoglund said, was not to have the innovation space just be for adults but to inspire children as well.
The machines and a partial renovation of the library were funded with support from the Magnolia Economic Development Corporation. Hoglund said the space cost about $40,000.
How we got here
Kevin Brady Library was the first branch to open an innovation space back in February. The library system plans to add two innovation spaces each year. Next is the R.F. Meador Library in Willis, followed by the Central Library in Conroe, Hoglund said.
Using the Cricut and embroidery machines is free, but filament fees apply for 3D printing.
Montgomery County Judge Mark Keough said at the ceremony that providing resources like the innovation space to residents “is what keeps us ahead of the game.”
“I can tell you that if a person has not embraced technology in this culture, it is becoming like being illiterate,” Keough said.
To accommodate the new equipment, library staff had to rearrange more than 60,000 books, according to Malcolm Purvis Library Manager Kallie Yoars.
Yoars said the goal is for people to come in with ideas in their heads and to be able to create them physically.
“We could not emphasize enough how much this means to us here at the library,” Yoars said. "This space has completely changed Magnolia."
Before you go
Those wishing to use the machinery can attend equipment-specific orientations to learn how to operate the innovation space's 3D printer, Cricut and embroidery machines, according to a news release.
Attending an orientation is required before library patrons can reserve and use the equipment. Orientation classes can be found on the library system’s website.
After attending an orientation, library patrons can call the innovation space desk at 936-538-8329 to reserve equipment.
