Makerspace Procedures

Access

• An SCPL library card in good standing is required for access to The Makery.
  •  Library cards are issued at all SCPL locations – Chilhowie, Marion, and Saltville. 
  • Applicants must present a photo ID with a current address or a photo ID and a piece of mail addressed to the applicant. 
• Patrons must be at least 16 years of age to enter the Makerspace on their own.  Children 12 and up must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to enter the makerspace.  Children younger than 12 may not enter The Makery.
• All patrons wishing to access The Makery must sign the SCPL user agreement/liability waiver.  Patrons under 18 must have a waiver signed by a parent or guardian.
• An SCPL staff member must be present at all times in order for patrons to enter The Makery. 
•  Patrons must check in with the library staff member on duty upon entering the makerspace. 

Schedule

• The Makery will offer programs designed to help patrons learn to use the equipment.  Patrons must register in advance for programs due to space constraints. 
• The Makery will also offer open lab time for patrons to work on their own projects.  To ensure access to the appropriate equipment, patrons should make a reservation in advance on the calendar on the Library’s website. 
  • Except for the 3-D printers, equipment reservations may be made in 2-hour blocks. 
  • Reservations may be extended if there are no other appointments scheduled and no one else is waiting. 
  • Reservations will be forfeited 15 minutes after the start time if the patron has not checked in to The Makery. 

Project Approval

•  All projects to be executed on The Makery equipment (3-D printer, Xtool, Cricut venture, sublimation printer, mug press, etc.) must be approved by library staff.. 
• Projects should be submitted by e-mail to themakery2025@gmail.com or uploaded to the SCPL account on Dropbox (address to be added).  Projects may also be submitted in person on a USB flash drive. 
  • Files should be labeled with the patron’s last name, the piece of equipment to be used to execute the project, and the date the file is uploaded.  For example, Smith, Cricut mug press, November 12 2025
  • Only one project may be submitted at a time.
•   Patrons must provide output ready files; SCPL staff members will review files only for compliance with library policy.
• Patrons may use the desktop computers in The Makery or the public computers located in the library to design projects or to download files. 
  • It is the patron’s responsibility to ensure that the file is complete and in the appropriate format. 
  • Any fees for downloaded designs are the responsibility of the patron. 
•  Once a design has been reviewed and approved, it will be sent to the appropriate machine by the library staff member on duty in The Makery.  At that time, the appropriate piece of equipment will be checked out to the patron.on their SCPL library card. 

Materials

• There will be a small fee to cover the cost of materials for programs and classes offered by The Makery.  Patrons are responsible for providing or purchasing materials for their own projects
•  Patrons may bring their own supplies to use with the equipment as long as they are non-toxic and compatible with the equipment provided.
•   Library staff must approve all user-supplied materials and consumables before they are used with equipment in The Makery.
•  The Makery will accept donations of materials to facilitate access by all members of the community. 

Safety

•  All hair, jewelry accessories must be tied back, tucked away, removed before using tools in the Makerspace.
•  Shoes must be worn at all times in the Makerspace.
•  Heat resistant gloves should be worn when using equipment that pose heat risks.
•  Patrons should not use headphones when using certain makerspace equipment, specifically the Xtool, the 3-D printers, the Cricut machines, and the sublimation printer. 
•  Do not use broken tools and equipment. Please report these to library staff immediately.
•   Keep all workspaces clean and organized. Be cognizant of tripping hazards, sharp tools, spills, etc.
•   Please ask a staff member if unsure about the operation of a piece of equipment.

Training

• All patrons must be trained on each piece of equipment and be certified by library staff members before being allowed to operate the equipment independently. 
  • Training may take the form of in-person instruction or viewing a video and then passing a short quiz.
  • Library staff members will annotate patron records to record each piece of equipment the patron is qualified to operate.

Miscellaneous

•  Computers located in The Makery are reserved for use by patrons in the makerspace.  Public computers located in the library can also be used for designing projects.

3D Printing Procedures

• 3-D printer reservations are limited to eight hours per reservation and two reservations per week if the volume of requests allows.
• The required file format is XXX.   File size limit is XXX (Note:  Do we need a file size limit?)
• The Makery uses Bambu PLA filament.  Patrons may bring their own filament, but it must be of the same brand and size to avoid damage to the printers.
• Filament colors available are black, white, blue, red, and green.
• Cost for each printing job is $3.50.  Physical size limit (size of printing table) for printed items is 10 inches by 10 inches. 

Cricut Procedures

• Cricut Design Space is the software for creating projects for the Cricut Venture.  It is available on the desktop computers in The Makery and on the public computers in the library.
• The Cricut Venture can cut vinyl, cardstock, construction paper, felt, craft foam, iron on transfers, mylar, photo paper, posterboard, wax paper, and wrapping paper.
  • The Makery will have cardstock and limited amount of vinyl available.  Patrons should bring with them any other materials they wish to cut on the Cricut. 
• The Makery has several different blades for the Venture.  Consult with library staff to determine the appropriate blade for your project and material. 
• The cost of vinyl for use with the Cricut is $.50 per 12X12 sheet.  The cost of cardstock is $.25 per 8.5 X 11 sheet.  

Xtool Procedures

• The Xtool Studio software is used to create files for laser cutter projects.  The software is available on the two desktop computers in The Makery and on the public computers in the library.  Patrons can also download the free software from the Xtool website to design projects at home.
• The Xtool can be used with acrylic, wood, cork, stone, leather, and anodized metals.
• The cost of acrylic sheets is $4.00 per 12 X 12 sheet.  The cost of plywood is $2.50 per 12 X 12 sheet.

Epson Sublimation Printer Procedures

• The software for the sublimation printer is Epson Edge Print Pro.  It is available on the two desktop computers in The Makery and on the public computers in the library.
• Designs are printed on transfer paper.  Transfers can be applied to a variety of surfaces including polyester fabric, ceramics, aluminum, and glass.
• The Makery has both a heat press and a mug press for transferring designs onto the project base of your choice. 
• Cost of each printing job is $2.00 (for transfer paper and ink).  
• Mugs are also available for purchase for $3.00 each.

Sewing and Embroidery Machines

• Mettler, Gutermann, or Superior thread must be used for both Bernina sewing machines and the embroidery machine.  Patrons may purchase some thread from The Makery at cost or bring their own from the brands specified. 
• Cost for one spool (164 yards) of sewing thread is $4.00.  Cost for one spool (164 yards) of embroidery thread is $4.00. 

Einscan 3D scanner procedures

• Items up to 7.8 inches in diameter can be scanned on the turntable scanner.
• The handheld scanner may be used for larger items. 
• The scanners must be connected to one of the desktop computers to save the scanned file.
• Patrons must download their scanned files onto a storage device or send them to their personal e-mail address.  All scanned files will be deleted at the end of the business day. 

Wacom Drawing Pad

• The drawing pad and its accessories may not be removed from The Makery.  
• Patrons should bring storage materials for transferring their designs/files from the drawing pad.
• All pens and attachments for the drawing pad may only be used with The Makery’s drawing pad.

Mac Studio Computer and Adobe Creative Cloud

• Patrons should obtain the Login ID and Password from the library staff member on duty in The Makery.
• Patrons should bring a storage device to save their work product at the end of the session.
• Patrons should not leave any files on Adobe or the Mac Studio.  The machine is programmed to delete all files at the end of the day.