A “Maker” is anyone who dabbles in the science, technology, and art worlds to create something. And a Maker’s Lab provides the tools and equipment that allow people to create these kinds of projects.

A wide variety of equipment is available for home use. If you wish to use any of our Maker’s Lab equipment, please request to borrow it using the Maker’s Lab Contact Form.

We also offer more complex equipment that you can use in the Maker’s Lab. Two options are available when reserving this equipment.

USING THE MAKER’S LAB

The Maker’s Lab is available for patrons 18 and older with an MCLS Library Card.

Training Class: We strongly recommend attending a Training Class with a member of the Maker’s Lab team. This will give you the opportunity to see the piece of equipment in use and to ask questions in a small-group, classroom-style setting.

Register for a class or view upcoming dates, times, and topics through our Event Calendar.

Self-Directed Tutorial: Use this option if you are unable to attend a Training Class, if you enjoy and prefer independent learning, or if you have extensive experience using complex technology. No staff assistance is available if you choose this option.

To schedule a Self-Directed session, please fill out the Maker’s Lab Contact Form. Maker’s Lab staff will contact you to confirm the date and time of your session. You will also receive a copy of the user agreement, written instructions, and a link to a video tutorial for the equipment you requested.

Please read the instructions and watch the video tutorial before you arrive.

FEATURED EQUIPMENT

Seed Library

We currently have a selection of vegetables and ornamental flowers available, and patrons are able to take up to five packets to start their own home garden. We also have jars of bulk seeds, which we are asking you to limit to one scoop. Planting instructions are available for all seeds.

And if you’d like to return seeds that you cultivated, we’ll gladly take them! Please return any seeds with a Seed Donation Form so we can share them again with the community.

Glowforge

A Glowforge, a laser-powered crafting machine that you can use to create personalized and unique items, is available for in-library use only. Library staff will print your project and contact you when it’s ready for pick up.

Cost: $2.00 First 15 Minutes + $1.00 Each Additional 15 Minutes

Submit your request to use the Glowforge through the Glowforge Request Form.

Ghost Hunting Kit

Our Ghost Hunting Kit includes everything you need to search for a ghostly spirit:

— Spirit Box – Used for communication with radio waves.
— EMF Reader – Used for sensing changes in electromagnetic fields.
— Voice Recorder – Used for recording sessions and picking up electronic voice phenomena (EVPs).
— Infared Thermometer – Used to scan for changes in temperature.
— Dowsing Rods and Pendulum – Used for communication.
— Head Lamps – Used for illumination and safety.
Haunted Rochester: A Supernatural History of the Lower Genesee by Mason Winfield
Ghost-Hunting For Dummies by Zak Bagans

Submit your request to borrow the Ghost Hunting Kit through the Maker’s Lab Contact Form.

3D Printer

Our 3D Printer is a Lulzbot Mini 2 and is available for in-library use only. Library staff will print your project and contact you when it’s ready for pick up.

Filetypes Supported: STL, OBJ, and 3MF
Max Print Size: 6″ x 6″ x 6″
Cost: $2.00 Base Price + $1.00 Per Meter of Filament Used

NOTE: Our 3D Printer is currently out of order and print requests cannot be completed at this time.

Begin the process to submit a file for 3D printing through the 3D Printing Request Form.

DIGITIZATION

Flatbed Image Scanner

🏢 In-Library Use
Tutorial Video
Instructions
User Manual

VHS-to-DVD Converter

🏢 In-Library Use
Tutorial Video
Instructions
User Manual

VHS-to-USB Converter

🏢 In-Library Use
Tutorial Video
Instructions
User Manual

8MM/Super8 Digitizer

🏢 In-Library Use
Tutorial Video
Instructions
User Manual

Cassette-to-MP3 Converter

🏠 Borrow and Take Home
Place A Hold

User Manual

Slide Scanner

🏠 Borrow and Take Home
Place A Hold

Tutorial Video
Instructions
User Manual

Photo Scanner

🏠 Borrow and Take Home
Place A Hold

Instructions

AUDIO

Podcast Recording Kit

🏠 Borrow and Take Home
Place A Hold

Tutorial Video
Instructions
User Manual

USB Microphone

🏠 Borrow and Take Home
Place A Hold

User Manual

C-Pen Reader 2

🏠 Borrow and Take Home
Place A Hold

User Manual

CLOTHING

Patrons who wish to use the sewing or embroidery machines must bring their own materials, but there is no charge for use.

Sewing Machine

🏠 Borrow and Take Home
🏢 In-Library Use
Place A Hold

Tutorial Video
Instructions
User Manual

Embroidery Machine

🏢 In-Library Use
Tutorial Video
Instructions
User Manual

CRAFTING

Cricut Cutting Machine

🏢 In-Library Use
Tutorial Video
Instructions
User Manual

Cricut Joy Xtra

🏠 Borrow and Take Home
Place A Hold

Tutorial Video
Instructions
User Manual

Cricut Joy

🏠 Borrow and Take Home
Place A Hold

Tutorial Video
Instructions
User Manual

ENTERTAINMENT

Meta Quest 2 VR Headset Kit

🏠 Borrow and Take Home
Place A Hold

Tutorial Video

Oculus Go VR Headset

🏠 Borrow and Take Home
Place A Hold

Tutorial Video
User Manual

Contact Maker’s Lab Team

Please use this form to contact the Maker’s Lab Team to request to use any of the equipment. Please include which piece of equipment you’d like to use, and if you’re also requesting use of the Maker’s Lab space, please let us know the day and time you’d like to reserve. We are typically able to respond within 24-48 hours.

Please read the Maker’s Lab User Agreement (PDF) before submitting this form.

Name(Required)
How Would You Like to Use the Maker’s Lab?(Required)