VERMILION — Ritter Public Library recently invited the community to tour its new Makerspace, an upgraded area designed to give local creators, entrepreneurs and small business owners access to equipment they may not normally have available.
The space builds on the popularity of the library’s large-format printer, which was acquired in 2021 and has grown in demand over time. According to Community Engagement Librarian Chloe Browne, the equipment has been especially popular with local business owners and entrepreneurs, and demand at times has outpaced availability. She said that growing interest helped shape a broader vision for the space and how it would be used by the public.
The upgraded Makerspace now includes tools for printing, design and production, including a large-format printer, 3D printer, heat press, vinyl cutter, button makers and computer workstations. Work tables and material storage areas allow users to complete projects from start to finish in one place. Browne said patrons will pay for consumable materials used in projects, but the library is charging only enough to recover costs rather than operate the space for profit.
According to the library, the upgrades were funded entirely through the Ritter Public Library Endowment Fund. In a Facebook post about the event, the library said the Vermilion Chamber of Commerce joined staff for a ribbon cutting to celebrate the opening.
Browne said the space is meant to give people a safe place to learn, try new things and build confidence using equipment they may not otherwise be able to access.
“Personally, I really enjoy this kind of stuff, so it was really exciting for me to pick up the equipment and learn how to use it, see what you can make. That was pretty rewarding,” Browne said.