About Our Technology and Makerspace Offerings
Westerly Library and Wilcox Park strives to support our community members in all aspects of their lives. To help support community members, we maintain a staffed computer lab where anyone can receive basic technology assistance and training, and a Makerspace where anyone is welcome to experiment and get in touch with their creative side.
What is a Makerspace?
Makerspaces are community spaces where people can explore all aspects of crafts and making, using tools that range from the cutting edge of technology to conventional. People can work on their projects collaboratively or solo. Our makerspace is stocked with a variety of tools and equipment for people to use, and staffed by a group of enthusiastic employees, each with their own areas of expertise to help you learn and create.
Makerspace Equipment
Please use this form to schedule an appointment with our staff to use, or learn more about, any equipment.
- Audio Conversion Station: Converts records and cassette tapes to digital formats.
- ChompSaw: Kid-safe power tool for cutting cardboard.
- Cricut Explore Air: Embosses and die cuts intricate designs, perfect for scrapbooking and crafting.
- Epson Slide/Photo Converter: Converts slides, photographs, and negatives into digital formats.
- Glowforge Laser Cutter/Engraver: Cuts and etches various materials (most commonly wood), using digital designs or hand drawn sketches.
- Laminator: Preserves documents between protective plastic film such as educational or promotional materials, cards, menus, photos and more.
- 8 ½ x 11 - $1.00
- 8 ½ x 14 - $1.50
- 11 x 17 - $2.00
- Light Board: Lights up images to help users to complete drawings and other creations.
- Pioneer CD/DVD External Drive: Allows users to access DVDs or CDs when connected to appropriate devices, and uses re-writable discs to burn information.
- Prusa 3D Printer
- Sewing Machines: Kenmore sewing machine, Hobbylock serger machine, and PFAFF embroidery machine.
- VHS to DVD Converter: Converts home video VHS tapes into digital format on a DVD.
- Yootech Wireless Chargers: Charges most devices wirelessly.
Assistive Technology:
- Braille Keyboards: Allows a person who is blind or has low-vision access to typing.
- Clearview+ Speech Desktop Magnifier: Displays text at various magnification levels, reads text aloud using OCR to change text into speech to help people who are blind or have low-vision.
- Hands Free LED Magnifying Glass: Magnifies up to 10 x 7 inches, perfect for books, magazines, various devices, and monitor screens.
- JBL Wireless Headphones: Streams wirelessly from various devices.
- Large Print Keyboards: Allows a person who has low-vision access to typing.
- Nulea Trackball Mice: Provides precise tracking, reduces muscle stress and assists dexterity issues from traditional mouse utilization.
- Perkins Brailler: Allows the user to produce braille notation.
- ProtoArc Ergonomic Mouse: Keeps your hand, forearm and wrist in a natural & relaxed position.
- Scanmarker Pals: Scans, reads aloud, and translates printed text in over 140 languages.
