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Warren County Public Library

Idea Lab @ Bob Kirby

Monday – Thursday: 9 a.m. to 7:45 p.m.

Friday: 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.

Saturday: 10 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. | 2 pm. to 4 p.m.

What is the Idea Lab?

The Idea Lab is WCPL’s makerspace. The 960-square-foot space is located inside the Bob Kirby Branch, and it serves as an extension of the library to allow community members to expand their hobbies and recreational activities.

Upcoming Classes & Events

Register for classes

For a full list of Idea Lab classes, please visit our class page or our events calendar.

Lab Features

What’s Inside

Nidec Potter’s Wheel & Skutt Kiln
MakerBot Replicator 3D Printer
Carvey Tabletop CNC Router
Brother Sewing Machine*
Badge-A-Matic Button Makers
USCutter SC Series Vinyl Cutter
AccuCut Die-Cut
Sawgrass Virtuoso Sublimation Printer
Volcano Heat Press
Brother Persona Embroidery Machine
HP DesignJet Poster Printer

What You Can Create

Mugs, vases, bowls, pendants
Game pieces, plastic prototypes
Plaques and signs
Bags, clothing, accessories
Pinback buttons from art/photos
Iron-on transfers, wall art, signage
Letters & shapes for scrapbooking
Ink transfer designs for fabrics
T-shirts, aprons, tote bags, mugs
Monogram shirts, towels, totes
Wall art, event posters

*Machine is available for checkout! Place a hold by searching “Brother Sewing Machine” in our catalog here.

 

Designing & Preparing Files


Idea Lab Creative Resources: Check out our creative resources page with links to free design software, online retailers, and file-sharing sites and communities to assist with your Idea Lab projects.

MakerBot 3D Printer

You can submit a file to be printed via our online submission form. Any 3D drafting software may be used to create a design as long as the file can be saved in .stl or .obj file format. For more details, visit our 3D Printing page.

Carvey CNC Router

Our CNC router uses a free web-based platform called Easel. Carvey and Easel are both designed by Inventables. You will need an Inventables account to access the software. Easel allows you to create original designs, or you can import SVG files of your logo or vector design. Because Easel is web-based, you can create & save designs at home and then log in to your Inventables account in the Idea Lab to carve them.

The Carvey has a build area of 11.6” x 8” x 2.5”. Material height + depth of cut can not exceed 2.5″. If your project requires you to cut all the way through your material, you must provide your own scrap piece of material to serve as a wasteboard. This wasteboard + material cannot exceed 2.5″.

Sawgrass Sublimation Printer

The Sawgrass prints images on 8.5″ x 11″ sheets of white transfer paper. Please bring your print-ready designs on a USB flash drive. Designs should be sized at 8.5″ x 11″ and saved in JPG or PNG. Visit our creative resources page for links to free design software. For best results, use sublimation on white polyester t-shirts or sublimation blank mugs. (Note: sublimation blank mugs can be purchased in the Idea Lab)

USCutter Vinyl Cutter

Our vinyl cutter uses VinylMaster software to prepare, design, and cut files. VinylMaster is installed on a laptop in the Idea Lab. You can create simple text designs, or you can import a SVG file of your logo or vector design. You can bring designs in on a USB flash drive. Visit our creative resources page for links to free design software.

Brother Persona Embroidery Machine

Only .pes, .phc and .dst embroidery data files can be used with this machine. The Idea Lab has BES 4 Dream Edition embroidery software for use in the makerspace. Create designs with this software using a lab computer then transfer the stitch file to the embroidery machine. You may also bring stitch files that you have created or purchased on a USB flash drive. You can also create designs directly on the embroidery machine using the touchscreen display of the Persona.

This machine can embroider fabric that is up to 1 mm (1/16 inch) thick. It is recommended that rayon or polyester embroidery thread (120 den x 2 / 135 dtex x 2 / 40 weight) be used in this machine. (Note: a limited selection of thread is available for free in the Idea Lab)

HP Poster Printer

Please bring your print-ready images on a USB flash drive. Designs should be sized at 11″ x 17″ or 24″ x 36″. Please make sure your designs are in JPG, PNG, or PDF format. Visit our creative resources page for links to free design software.

Material Costs

Prices do not include sales tax. Material costs are subject to change.

Buttons

  • 1.25″ button: $ .22 each
  • 2.25″ button: $ .25 each
  • 3″ button: $ .45 each

MakerBot PLA Filament

  • $.06 per gram of material used
    including rafts & supports

Carvey CNC Router

  • Two-color HDPE tiles: $2 each
    (size: 5.875″ x 5.875″ x .25″)

Embroidery Machine

All designs must use stabilizer. All designs on high-pile fabrics (towels, fleece, etc) must use stabilizer and topping.
  • Tearaway stabilizer: $1.50 per square foot
  • Heat N Stay fusible tearaway stabilizer: $1.50 per square foot
  • Water soluble topping: $1.50 per square foot
  • Heat N Gone topping: $1.50 per square foot

Vinyl

  • Adhesive Vinyl (Temporary/Permanent): $.60 per square foot
  • Heat Transfer Vinyl: $2.40 per square foot
  • Transfer Tape: $.15 per square foot

Posters

  • 11″ x 17″: $2.50 each
  • 24″ x 36″: $5.00 each

Sawgrass Sublimation Printer

  • Heat Transfer Paper: $2 per sheet (8.5″ x 11″) 
  • Sublimation Blank Mug: $3 each

Pottery

  • Bag of Clay: $5
  • Glazing per piece – small: $.25 / medium: $.50 / large: $.75
  • Firing: Free

Guidelines for Usage

The Idea Lab is apart of the Bob Kirby Branch and the WCPL system. Therefore the same rules and code of conduct apply to it and its patrons. However, these guidelines are also in place due to the unique nature of the Idea Lab:

  • No food or drink are allowed in the Idea Lab.
  • The Library cannot be held responsible for when files do not print/cut correctly, pottery breaks, etc.
  • All children 12 and under MUST be accompanied by an adult at all times.