Makerspace at Belle Haven Library open for drop-in use

Published on November 15, 2024

The City of Menlo Park has launched a pilot program to make the Makerspace at Belle Haven Library available for drop-in, casual use. The pilot program is in response to community interest and in preparation for future "Open Lab" hours planned in 2025.

The Makerspace is available for casual, drop-in use at all times Belle Haven Library is open, except when the Makerspace is otherwise scheduled for organized programs, classes, workshops, or rentals. Makerspace drop-in hours are subject to change daily depending on room availability and the schedules for organized activities; visitors may contact the library for information about the availability of drop-in hours on any given date.

See the Belle Haven Library hours and contact information

Located on the second floor of the new Belle Haven Community Campus, the Makerspace at Belle Haven Library is a dynamic multi-use space than can accommodate a range of community programs including traditional arts and crafts, technology-aided creative work, and hands-on workshops. The Makerspace is regularly programmed with free community programs, including free programs for seniors and youth, as well as fee-based creative and educational classes. The Makerspace and its outdoor terrace also are available for rentals; hourly rental rates are listed in the City's master fee schedule.

• The pilot program Makerspace drop-in hours are intended to be casual and self-guided in nature
• No specific organized activities and no staff support for projects are provided during drop-in hours
• Library staff are always stationed in the adjacent second floor library within view of the Makerspace
• During the pilot program, in-house Makerspace equipment and materials are not available during unsupervised drop-in hours (Open Lab is coming in 2025)
• Makerspace drop-in visitors should bring all their own materials and equipment with them, and remove them when they leave.
• Typical materials or equipment a visitor might bring include drawing paper, non-toxic paints and brushes, knitting materials, puzzles, model kits with non-toxic glues and paints, a laptop and headphones, or simply a book to read.

Visitors should check the library use guidelines to understand the prohibited materials that are not allowed in the Makerspace, which include but are not limited to: food and drink, noxious and/or toxic substances, oversized items, weapons, items that generate disruptive noise, and items that present health and safety hazards. Visitors are welcome and encouraged to share the space, help keep it in good working condition for all to enjoy, and perhaps most importantly, share feedback and ideas to help inform the planning of activities and projects for the future "Open Lab" hours.

Share feedback and ideas for the Makerspace

When launched next year, the "Open Lab" hours will include supervised access to in-house Makerspace equipment such as sewing machines, a large-format scanner, high-performance computers, Cricut smart cutting machines, fiber arts, painting and drawing tools. "Open Lab" hours will include trained staff on hand to assist users with their projects.