For Connor Gianetto-Hill, a PhD candidate in Microbiology at the University of Guelph, sewing is a creative outlet at a time in his life where the sciences preoccupy much of his time. So when his sewing machine broke and the company no longer sold parts to fix it, his ability to create stopped – until he discovered his local library branch had a Makerspace.

Visiting Guelph’s Westminster Square for a book, Connor learned about the Makerspace, which offers appointment-based spots to use specialized equipment like embroidery machines, Cricuts, a Glowforge laser cutter and even 3D printers. There is also a video gaming room, recording studio and knowledgeable staff to help makers create.

For Connor, one piece of equipment sparked an idea. In his search to repair his machine, he found a design file of the part he needed which could be uploaded to a computer and printed out with a 3D printer, which deposits plastic in layers to make a three dimensional model. When he approached Makerspace staff they were able to print the piece so he wouldn’t need to wait for an appointment.

“I was able to get back into sewing again, which I hadn’t been able to do for years with my broken machine and it saved the sewing machine from going to a landfill,” Connor says. “Having this hobby back is energizing, and represents a great creative outlet for me.”

In the Makerspace, which celebrates its five-year anniversary on February 14, patrons have access to 3D printers, laser printers that cut, engrave and score wood and acrylic, apple pencils for digital drawing and sketching on available Apple iPads, Cricut makers for sticker making and iron-on creations, and a semi-autonomous embroidery machine which sews designs with help from a digital file. The Makerspace also offers access to digitization equipment with DVD writers, digitizing audio cassettes into files, converting VHS videos to DVD and movie maker editing software.

“Giving the community access to this space for free is a huge asset,” says Abigail Wallis, one of the Makerspace team members. “Anyone can come in and create gifts, replace parts for equipment or learn a new body of knowledge and doing that without barriers to access, either financially or literacy.”

The Makerspace removes barriers by providing access to the equipment with no cost to the user and knowledgeable staff offering help with troubleshooting, inspiring the creative process, and bridging knowledge barriers to help make the space less intimidating. In fact, one of the only barriers to the space now is getting an appointment – the program is so popular, appointments must be booked two months in advance.

In some instances like Connor’s, staff are able to help with quick prints of files that are ready to go in between appointments to help cut down on wait times. The Library will expand by adding a second Makerspace to the new Central Library when it opens in 2026.

According to Zara Miller, who has worked at the Makerspace for two years, staffing the Makerspace is equal to giving patrons access to a cheat code on how to use the equipment, resulting in less frustration and failure. Staff are translators between people and computers, helping patrons use the space safely but also taking their ideas and turning it into something they can hold.

“We look at projects holistically to figure out which Makerspace equipment will serve a person’s needs,” Miller explains. “If you only have a hammer, everything looks like a nail. Add in a pair of pliers, and now you can bend that nail. In the Makerspace, staff act as an extra tool to make the options endless in the creative process.”

There are also secondary benefits of a space like this that helps the community reduce waste and reuse what they own by offering ways to repair it.

“It can be really powerful to have a space where you can create your own pieces to repair what you already own instead of replacing an entire appliance or piece of equipment,” Wallis shares.

As Library staff look to the future of Makerspace planning, they’re considering how they can go beyond user-guided appointments to offering programs geared to children, adults and seniors that merge STEAM skills with technological literacy. As that literacy grows in the community, the more at ease and hands off appointments can be. In March, the Makerspace will offer drop-in slots during March Break to see if this model can help patrons get into the space and give it a try without having to wait a number of weeks for an appointment.

For more information

Book a Makerspace Appointment

Media Contact

Ben Robinson, Supervisor
Westminster Woods Branch
Guelph Public Library
548-855-0381
brobinson@guelphpl.ca