Makerspace at Cossitt

Makerspace LOGO - Makerspace Cossitt


Welcome to our Makerspace.  Please see the information and resources below to get the most out of your Makerspace experience.


 

Makerspace Policies and Guidelines can be found here.

Watch training videos on many elements of our Makerspace here.

Our Three Step Process

Makerspace_3 Steps

We want you to have a successful time in our Makerspace and that means helping all patrons be as prepared as they can prior to their arrival.  There’s so much you can do in the comfort of your home.  As such we've prepared "Getting Started" guides for each station.  With these guides we hope to equip you with as much information as you need!  As such we’ve separated these guides into three sections:  “Before you arrive”, “During your visit,” and “Clean up.”  Some things you can do before you arrive so your reservation window is best used for testing and not designing.  To view a station's guide click on the "Getting Started" graphic next to each station!

Makerspace_DesignCycle

Equipment & Training Videos

Glowforge Pro Laser Engraver

The Glowforge laser cutter is a versatile desktop device that uses a laser to cut, engrave, and score a variety of materials such as wood, acrylic, leather, fabric, and more.  See the manual for the Glowforge Pro here.

Video Tutorials


Learn how to clean the Glowforge after use here.

Approved Materials

Cut & Engrave

  • Wood (Unstained, Untreated, Unpainted, No Glues) 
  • 100% Acrylic
  • Leather (Vegetable Tanned Only) 
  • Mylar
  • 100% Natural Cork
  • Glowforge Proofgrade Materials

Engrave Only

  • 100% Natural Cork 
  • Glass 
  • Ceramic Tile 
  • Anodized Aluminum
  • Marble
  • Stone
  • Titanium

Use of all other materials are subject to review by the Makerspace technician prior to use.

Makerspace_GettingStartedGuide

Makerspace_LaserEngraving

Bambu Labs P1S 3D Printer

The Bambu Lab P1S 3D Printer is a "PLA" printer which can print shapes up to 10.08” x 10.08” x 10.08” in. (256.00 x 256.00 x 256.00 mm). View the Bambu Labs P1S 3D Printer manual here.

Makerspace_GettingStartedGuide

Learn about GPL's Bambu P1S 3D Printers here.

Learn how to submit a job to our Bambu P1S 3D Printers here.

Makerspace_3DPrinting

Digitization Station

The Digitizing Station is a dedicated workspace equipped with tools and technology for converting physical media into digital formats. This station includes devices like scanners (for photos, documents, or film), video and audio converters (for VHS tapes, cassettes, or vinyl records), and computers with specialized software for editing and archiving. This station allows users to preserve aging media, create digital archives, or enhance and modify content for creative projects. It’s an invaluable resource for anyone looking to modernize analog content or work on multimedia projects.  You can use our high-quality photo printer to print your newly digitized images as well!

This station has:

  • iMAC Computer
  • Record Player & Recorder (GPL Training Video here)
  • Wolverine- 8mm/super 8 films  (View manual here)
  • Cassette Recorder/Converter (GPL Training Video here)
  • Samsung DVD/CD/VHS (View manual here)
  • Video2Digital Video Converter (View manual here) (GPL Training Video here)
  • Epson Perfection V600 Photo & Slide Scanner (View manual here) (GPL Training Video here)
  • Epson 900 Photo Printer (View manual here)
  • Hi8 Digital Camcorder
  • USB Memory Card Adapters (Memory Stick, microSD, SDXC, CompactFlash, UHS-1, SD Card, 3.5" Floppy Disc) - See below for details

What physical memory card types can we support?

  • USB-A
  • USB-C
  • SD(Secure Digital)
  • Micro SD (TF)
  • Memory Stick
  • Compact Flash
  • 3.5” Floppy Disk
  • CD (CD-R. CD-RW)
  • DVD (DVD-R, DVD-RW)

Makerspace_GettingStartedGuide

Makerspace_DigitizationStation

Customer Design - Cricut Cutting Station

The Cricut Maker Cutting Machine makes smart cutting machines that work with an easy-to-learn design app, so you can express your creativity and make personalized items for any and every occasion.  View the Cricut Maker manual here.

Learn how to clean your sticky mat here!

About our Heat-transfer presses

We have a variety of Heat-transfer presses for your projects.  (Tee-shirts, puzzle blanks, mugs, etc)  Each has an area where they excel.  It is important to match the device to your project.   We stock the heat presses by Cricut but we also have other presses for other types of jobs.  Reach out to us for specifics.

Makerspace_GettingStartedGuide

GPL-Makerspace-CricutStation

Custom Design - Sublimation Station

The Brother Sublimation Printer SP-1 is an ink-based printer which uses Sublimation paper to transfer complex art to 'blanks' such as mugs, puzzles, shirts, etc.  View the sublimation printer manual here.

Learn how we prepare our materials for successful heat transfer here!

Makerspace_GettingStartedGuide

Makerspace_Sublimation

Sewing & Embroidery Station

The Brother SE700 is a versatile machine that allows you to sew and create beautiful embroidery designs. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you get started with both sewing and embroidery functions.

This station has:

  • Brother SE700 Sewing and Embroidery Machine. (View the SE700 Manual Here)
  • Brother Serger 1034D
  • 4x Brother SR9550 Sewing and Quilting Machine (View the XR9550 Manual Here)
  • Thread and bobbins
  • Fabric for sewing or embroidery
  • Embroidery designs (built-in or external via USB)
  • Needles appropriate for your fabric
  • Embroidery hoop (for embroidery projects)
  • Stabilizer (for embroidery)
  • Scissors or snips

Makerspace_GettingStartedGuideMakerspace_Sewing




F.H. Cossitt Library Reimagined

 

Granby Public Libraries are excited to present a new opportunity to the community! The F.H. Cossitt Library's lower level has been transformed into a new makerspace. 

 

Granby Public Library's mission is to support intellectual freedom and the right of individuals to read, learn, and gather together in a safe, friendly, and welcoming environment. The Library provides free access to diverse ideas, resources, and experiences and strives to enhance the quality of life in our community by providing and encouraging lifelong learning through a variety of resources. Our motto is “Something for Everyone!”

 

What is a makerspace? A makerspace is a place where people meet up, share creative interests, tinker with technology, and learn to make things. The maker movement gained momentum several years ago. Libraries across Connecticut, and beyond, have established maker spaces to meet the needs in the community and we are excited to finally be jumping on the bandwagon and bringing these opportunities to the Granbys!

 

What does this all mean? To start, the lower level of the library will be the new home to a variety of tools and equipment for creating! This will include sewing machines, 3d printers, a laser cutter and a digitization station to convert all those old home movies. Along with this equipment, we plan to have classes for patrons, opportunities to learn about new equipment, and creating a space where the community can come together to help make visions come to life. This space will be geared towards Ages 16 and up but kids ages 10-15 will have opportunities to come and create with their parent/guardian’s supervision. More makerspace opportunities for kids will be made available at the main branch as well.  

 

Makerspaces have been proven to provide communities with a plethora of benefits. Some of these include hands on learning opportunities, a place for creative expression, community collaboration and inspiration, social skills and community involvement, entrepreneurship and career learning, promotion of diversity and individual ideas, assisting with creative affordability and decreasing the digital divide. All of this will be provided through grant funding, donations, and fundraising efforts of our library groups.

 

What does this mean for the current collection? No worries, the library is NOT getting rid of all the books. Many items will be moving to the Main Branch but the upstairs at Cossitt will continue to be a circulating library as it is now. It will still be a pickup spot for materials and the upstairs collection will include a small children's collection, new fiction and nonfiction for adults, a small collection of DVDs and a specialty collection of materials that fit the themes of the lower level: DIY, being creative, innovative and collaborative.