Carindale Library Makerspace
The Carindale Library Makerspace is a place for people to learn new skills, create and collaborate through access to maker equipment and programs. See frequently asked questions below, and/or read the terms and conditions of use.
Frequently asked questions
What equipment is available at the makerspace?
What equipment is available at the makerspace?
The makerspace is equipped with:
- six Janome 6050 digital sewing machines
- two Janome Airthread 2000D overlockers
- one Emblaser 2 laser cutter
- two Brother scan and cut machines
- six Surface Pro laptops with Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop software
- five Wacom tablets for digital drawing and illustration.
What programs and activities are offered at the makerspace?
What programs and activities are offered at the makerspace?
You can participate in a range of activities at the makerspace including:
- group induction sessions for sewing and laser cutting equipment, which includes an introduction to the scan and cut machines
- maker sessions to book and use the equipment for your own creative projects (once you've completed the relevant inductions)
- workshops led by artists and creatives – teaching both handmade and machine-based skills
- makerspace socials to meet, share skills and ideas, and collaborate with other makers (where access to the Makerspace equipment is not required).
How will I know what's happening at the makerspace?
How will I know what's happening at the makerspace?
Weekly makerspace timetable*
Day of the week | Time | Activity |
---|---|---|
Monday | 9.30am-4.30pm | Makerspace social |
Tuesday | 9.30am-4.30pm | Makerspace social |
Wednesday | 10.30am-12.30pm | Induction - sewing |
Wednesday | 12.30-4.30pm | Maker session |
Thursday | 9.30am-4pm | Makerspace social |
Thursday | 5-7.30pm | Maker session |
Friday | 10.30am-12.30pm | Induction - laser cutter |
Friday | 12.30-4.30pm | Maker session |
Saturday | 9.30-11.30am | Induction - sewing or laser cutter (alternates weekly) |
Saturday | 12-3pm | Maker session |
Sunday | Occasional | Workshop |
Sunday | 1-3.30pm | Makerspace social |
* This timetable is provided as a general guide. The timetable is subject to change dependent on scheduled workshops and events. Phone Carindale Library for more information.
To find out about upcoming workshops and events, check out our curated events list, or visit your local library to pick up a copy of the What's On in Libraries guide.
How do I book a maker session to use the equipment?
How do I book a maker session to use the equipment?
To book and use any of the makerspace equipment during individual maker sessions, you must:
- be a current member of Brisbane City Council Library Services
- complete a relevant induction session if you wish to use the sewing equipment, laser cutter, or scan and cut machines
- comply with the terms and conditions of use.
Induction sessions are not required to use the SurfacePro laptops and Wacom tablets. Speak with library staff about the general makerspace conditions of use.
To book any of the makerspace equipment, or reserve your place at an induction session, phone Carindale Library on 07 3407 1873.
How long can I book the equipment for?
How long can I book the equipment for?
The equipment can be booked for up to three hours during scheduled maker sessions, and may be extended if availability permits.
How will I know how to use the equipment?
How will I know how to use the equipment?
The makerspace is designed to support self-directed learning.
Inductions and other workshops provide you with the basic foundations to begin your creative skill development. In the makerspace, you will also find troubleshooting documents, manufacturer instructions, and books and other resources to assist your learning.
Makers are encouraged to continue developing their skills through practise, collaborating with other users of the space, and accessing the resources available in the library.
Carindale Library staff are available to answer questions about the makerspace and can assist with general troubleshooting.
Do I need to be a library members to use the makerspace?
Do I need to be a library members to use the makerspace?
You must be a member of Brisbane City Council Library Services to book a maker session to use the equipment.
You do not need to be a member to attend inductions and workshops.
Are there age requirements to use the makerspace equipment?
Are there age requirements to use the makerspace equipment?
Initially the makerspace inductions will be open to adults aged 18 years and older.
We are looking forward to welcoming young people (aged 12-17 years) to induction sessions soon. More information will be available soon about parent/guardian permission and supervision requirements to support young people's participation in the makerspace.
Is there a cost to use the makerspace?
Is there a cost to use the makerspace?
There is no cost to attend makerspace workshops or events, or to book the makerspace equipment.
What materials are provided? What do I need to bring?
What materials are provided? What do I need to bring?
For inductions and workshops, all materials are provided by the library.
For individual maker sessions, refer to the information below for advice on what you need to bring.
Sewing
Each sewing machine comes with a sewing kit of basic supplies that you can use during your maker session. These kits contain:
- sewing and embroidery scissors
- measuring tape
- chalk
- black and white thread
- sewing clips and pins
- seam ripper
- additional footers for the sewing machines.
The overlockers are permanently threaded with black and white thread. These are not to be changed by makerspace users.
You will need to bring your own:
- fabric
- coloured thread for the sewing machine
- accessories such as zips, buttons, elastic
- patterns (we recommend pre-cutting your patterns at home).
Laser cutting
You will need to bring your own:
- materials to use in the laser cutter (refer to the list of approved materials below)
- a USB or portable hard drive to save your work.
You may only use the following approved materials in the laser cutter, and you must show these materials to staff before commencing your session:
- black acrylic (5 millimetres)
- plywood
- MDF.
For important safety reasons, no materials other than those listed can be used in the laser cutter.
Scan and cut machines
You will need to bring your own:
- materials to use in the cutting machines
- a USB containing the design template you wish to cut (or you can use of the pre-set designs in the machine).
Surface Pro laptops and Wacom tablets
You will need to bring your own:
- USB or portable hard drive to save your work.
Terms and conditions of use
These terms and conditions set out the conditions of use of the Brisbane City Council's Makerspace at Carindale Library – a place for people to learn new skills, create and collaborate through access to make equipment and programs. You must read and agree to the below terms and conditions. Any questions regarding the below terms and conditions can be directed to Council library staff.
Training and membership
1. Prior to using any of the sewing equipment, laser cutter, or scan and cut equipment at the makerspace (either during individual maker sessions, part of makerspace social sessions, or any other relevant sessions as determined by Council library staff), you must complete an induction workshop offered by Council's Library Services.
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2. To use the makerspace, you must be a Council library member. If you are not currently a member, find out how to join a library.
Use of makerspace equipment
3. By using the makerspace, you acknowledge and agree:
(a) any use of any equipment is at your own risk;
(b) Council is not liable for any personal injury, property damage, loss or erasure of data due to your use of any equipment;
(c) any use of sewing equipment, laser cutter, or scan and cut equipment by a child aged 12-14 years must be supervised by a parent or legal guardian, who has also attended the required induction workshop in accordance with condition 1, while using said equipment;
(d) you are responsible for your own safety and must follow all appropriate measures and safety practices, including those outlined during the induction workshop and/or in any relevant manufacturer instructions
(e) you are responsible for ensuring any of the makerspace equipment and equipment accessories remain in the library at all times. Any damaged or malfunctioning equipment must be reported immediately to library staff; and
(f) if you observe any unsafe behaviour or practices by other users of the makerspace, you must inform library staff immediately.
Use of the makerspace
4. When in attendance at the makerspace:
(a) you must follow the directions of library staff when using the makerspace for any purpose;
(b) you must not bring in any outside equipment without the express permission of library staff;
(c) you must secure your own belongings and be responsible for any items you bring to use in the makerspace. Any property left at the makerspace, or in the library, will be handled in accordance with Council's Library Services lost property procedure;
(d) you agree to be considerate of other users of the makerspace, keep the makerspace orderly and neat, and clean up after your use.
5. The library staff, at their sole discretion, have the right to end any session and/or delete or remove any items or projects deemed inappropriate.
Check permissions and copyright
6. It is your responsibility to ensure you comply with any copyright and intellectual property rights in your use of the makerspace and its equipment.
7. You must not use the makerspace and its equipment in a way that infringes the rights of any other person, including intellectual property rights.
8. For further information and fact sheets, visit the Australian Copyright Council website.