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Please contact the library to register for this event

Open Maker Lab

Using Maker Lab Equipment
2024-09-13 11:00:00 2024-09-13 13:00:00 America/Chicago Open Maker Lab Main Library - Room 211: Recording Studio

Friday, September 13
11:00am - 1:00pm

Add to Calendar 2024-09-13 11:00:00 2024-09-13 13:00:00 America/Chicago Open Maker Lab Open Lab is the second course in the Maker Lab education program. You can take it after you complete Maker Lab 101. Main Library - Room 211: Recording Studio

Main Library

Room 211: Recording Studio

Open Lab is the second course in the Maker Lab education program. You can take it after you complete Maker Lab 101.

Open Maker Lab

  1. Complete Maker Lab 101:
  • Before you can use the Maker Lab equipment independently, you must first complete the Maker Lab 101 course. This course is a requirement to learn how to safely and effectively use the equipment.
  1. Get Certified:
  • After finishing Maker Lab 101, you will receive a certification. This certification is necessary to access the Open Maker Lab.
  1. Register for Open Maker Lab:
  • Once you are certified, you can register for the Open Maker Lab. This allows you to start using the Maker Lab equipment on your own.
  1. Reserve Equipment:
  • Each piece of equipment in the Maker Lab must be reserved individually. When you register, you are essentially reserving a slot for a specific piece of equipment.
  1. Understand Reservation Slots:
  • The reservation system shows 9 slots, but this actually means there are 9 different pieces of equipment available for reservation. Only one person can reserve each piece of equipment at a time.
  • If someone else tries to reserve the same equipment as you, they will be notified and can choose another time or piece of equipment.
  1. Start Creating:
  • With your reservation confirmed, you can now use the Maker Lab equipment to work on your projects in a supportive and creative environment.


 
 

Main Library
info@rockfordpubliclibrary.org
Phone: 815-965-7606
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Mon, Jun 08 9:00AM to 8:00PM
Tue, Jun 09 9:00AM to 8:00PM
Wed, Jun 10 9:00AM to 8:00PM
Thu, Jun 11 9:00AM to 8:00PM
Fri, Jun 12 9:00AM to 5:00PM
Sat, Jun 13 9:00AM to 5:00PM
Sun, Jun 14 Closed
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About the library

The 66,000 sq.ft. Main Library opened in spring of 2024 and serves as the Rockford Public Library's main downtown facility. The newly constructed space boasts a 1st floor Children's Area complete with a dedicated computer lab, three program rooms, play structure with slide, and baby garden, a Maker Lab with access to 3D printers and scanners and small board computers, podcasting room, green screen video room, a large Young Adult Zone with gaming center, adult computer lab, local history room, and several meeting and study rooms accommodating groups of 2-8 people. Additional features include a large interactive screen, two roof-top terraces, one of which is available for rent as part of our large event space on the third floor, underground parking, and drive-thru book drop holds pickup!

Upcoming events

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Coffee for Caregivers:
Mon, Jun 15, 10:00am - 11:00am
Room 334: Meeting Room A,Room: 335 Meeting Room B
Join us at Rockford Public Library for a gathering for adults who care for loved ones with dementia or memory loss. The class will be on the 3rd floor of the Main Library in Meeting Rooms 334 and 335.
Preschool Power Storytime
Mon, Jun 15, 10:00am - 10:45am
Room 115B: Story Time
Books, songs, rhymes, and crafts for children ages 3-5
Beginner Knitting Class
Mon, Jun 15, 4:30pm - 6:30pm
Room 208: Maker Activity B
This beginner knitting class is designed especially for adults who are new to knitting.
Teen Pride-a-Palooza 2!
Mon, Jun 15, 4:30pm - 6:00pm
RPLF Teen Zone / Active Zone
Come create some buttons, get a (temporary) tattoo, and other low-key activities to celebrate our Pride!
Musical Munchkins
Tue, Jun 16, 10:00am - 10:30am
Rooms 115A & 115B: Activity and Story Time
Dance and sing the morning away at this active storytime for toddlers and preschoolers.
Musical Munchkins
Tue, Jun 16, 10:45am - 11:15am
Rooms 115A & 115B: Activity and Story Time
Dance and sing the morning away at this active storytime for toddlers and preschoolers.
RPL Sewing Group
Tue, Jun 16, 11:00am - 1:00pm
Room 208: Maker Activity B
Bring in the projects you've started with the RPL sewing group, and let's complete them together!"
Stone Stories (Teens)
Wed, Jun 17, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
RPLF Teen Zone / Active Zone
Our theme for Summer Reading 2026 is Unearth a Story! Keep track of your reading goals and attend exciting events all summer long!
Puzzle Cafe
Thu, Jun 18, 10:00am - 11:30am
WREX Classroom
Come join us at the Main Branch of Rockford Public Library to wake up your brain with coffee, conversation, and jigsaw puzzles! We will have a variety of puzzles, including dinosaur-themed ones.
Coffee with Jean: Celebrating America's 250th
Thu, Jun 18, 10:00am - 11:00am
Local History Room
Jean returns to RPL after retirement as a featured speaker!
Summer Crafternoon: Clay Creations (8-12)
Thu, Jun 18, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Room 115B: Story Time
Our theme for Summer Reading 2026 is Unearth a Story! Keep track of your reading goals and attend exciting events all summer long! Create some fun dino-themed air-dry clay sculptures at this event!
Chapter by Chapter
Thu, Jun 18, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Rooms 115A & 115B: Activity and Story Time
Listen to a few chapters of a book each week.
Rescheduled
Summer Crafternoon: Clay Creations (8-12)
Fri, Jun 19, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
New date Thursday, June 18, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Our theme for Summer Reading 2026 is Unearth a Story! Keep track of your reading goals and attend exciting events all summer long! Create some fun dino-themed air-dry clay sculptures at this event!
Basic Crochet for Beginners Children
Sat, Jun 20, 9:30am - 11:00am
Room 208: Maker Activity B
Boys and Girls ages 8-12! Whether you’ve always wanted to learn crochet or you already know how, let’s get together and crochet! We’ll help each other out and create something Great!
Puzzle Cafe
Sat, Jun 20, 10:00am - 11:30am
WREX Classroom
Come join us at the Main Branch of Rockford Public Library to wake up your brain with coffee, conversation, and jigsaw puzzles! We will have a variety of puzzles, including dinosaur-themed ones.
We are Hooked
Sat, Jun 20, 11:00am - 1:00pm
Room 208: Maker Activity B
Love to crochet? So do we! Bring in your UFO stands for "unfinished object". It's a term used to describe a project that has been temporarily or permanently abandoned.
Paint for Pride
Sat, Jun 20, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Paint for Pride is a social painting event. Patrons are encouraged to show up with a partner or a friend and make reciprocal portraits.
Build Dino LEGOS! (Teens)
Sat, Jun 20, 2:30pm - 4:00pm
RPLF Teen Zone / Active Zone
Come do some collaborative dinosaur LEGO building in the Teen Zone! Our theme for Summer Reading 2026 is Unearth a Story! Keep track of your reading goals and attend exciting events all summer long!
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