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This past weekend, the Jessamine County Public Library (JCPL) celebrated the grand opening of its new and expanded creative space.

Since 2016, JCPL has had a smaller creative space available for patrons.

“Since then, it became clear– based on customer use and interest– that we needed a larger space with a wider variety of equipment,” said JCPL marketing and public relations coordinator Emily Moon.

Four years ago, the library management team and the board of trustees started planning for a larger creative space, including planning to secure funding to make that happen.

Finally, two years ago, the board of trustees hired an architect to make the vision a reality.

“Our project went out to bid a year ago, and the result is our beautiful, new creative space,” Moon said.

JCPL’s Creative Space is a collaborative workspace including state-of-the-art equipment:

• Four MK4 printers
• One 3-D printer
• Two laser cutters
• Two routers
• A UV printer
• Two quilting machines
• A jeweler’s station with a wide variety of hand tools

“I think having something like this here at JCPL is so important. Our mission is to enrich the community with ideas, information, and cultural opportunities. This space embodies that mission—providing a place where people can be creative and make the things they envision, whether functional or artistic, or both,” Moon said.

All the newly available tools allow patrons to use the space to make wood ornaments, etch art into glassware, create eyeglass frames with the 3D printer, print onto phone cases or tumblers with the UV printer and more.

According to the JCPL website, You may use the Creative Space if you:

• Are a valid JCPL library card holder with internet privileges
• Pass the Introduction to the Creative Space class.
• Have acknowledged that you have read the Creative Space and Recording Studio agreement.
• Have a Fabman account for booking and accessing the equipment.
• Are 18 years old or older OR have a legal guardian accompany you to the required training(s) and sign the Creative Space and Recording Studio Agreement for Juveniles.

For more information, go to the JCPL website at www.jesspublib.org/creative-space/.

“My favorite part of this space is seeing people in it. I love witnessing the collaboration that this space lends itself to—and then seeing the results of that collaboration in the pieces crafted here. It’s inspiring and exciting,” Moon said.