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Welcome to the McLean County Makerspace Coalition

This page is a resource for community members hoping to engage in maker activities and for maker organizations to share their trainings, tools, and equipment with interested parties. 

Participating Organization List: 
  1. Bloomington Public Library
  2. Illinois Art Station
  3. Indigo Quilt Studio
  4. Normal Public Library 

Would you like your organization to be included? If yes, please fill out this interest form and we will add your organization to the list.

Bloomington Public Library

Mission Statement: We provide our diverse community with a helpful and welcoming place that offers equal access to the world of ideas and information and supports lifelong learning.

Maker Tools available to public: 3D printers, Poster Printer, Digital Media Hardware/Software, Virtual Reality Equipment, and a digital preservation studio where the public can convert cassette tapes, VHS tapes, slides, negatives, and pictures to digital. 

Cost of Equipment: Some equipment is available to the public free of charge while some requires a fee.

Equipment requiring training: 3D printing- Available to anyone 12+, there is no cost for the training, and training can be scheduled via the website.

Educational Programming & Class Offerings: Programming topics include Phython Program, Raspberry PIs, Arduinos, 3D printing, and Robotics. There is no cost, format is virtual and in-person, and intended for 12+.

Illinois Art Station

Mission Statement: Illinois Art Station is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing transformative learning through hands-on experience with the visual arts for children, youth, and teens from all backgrounds and neighborhoods. IAS provides classes as well as drop-in art making opportunities for young people to learn through creation and exploring new ways to tap into their own unique creativity and ability to address problems and issues they care about.

Maker Tools available to public: Kiln (no pottery wheel), some light tools, and printmaking materials. Art supplies include paint, sculpting materials, drawing media, etc. All materials are washable and/or water soluble, and nontoxic.

Cost of Equipment: All equipment is available to all members of the public for a fee.

Equipment requiring training: No training is required for use of equipment.

Educational Programming & Class Offerings: In-person art education programming is available for youth between the ages of 3-18 for a cost of $35-$45 per 3-week session.

Indigo Quilt Studio 

Mission Statement: We provide inspiration, education, and resources for quilters, sewists, and stitchers.

Maker Tools available to public: Long-arm quilting machine

Cost of Equipment: All equipment is available to all members of the public for a fee.

Equipment requiring training: All equipment requires training for use by the public.

Educational Programming & Class Offerings: Required training for the longarm quilting machine is available for anyone ages 18+. Trainings are scheduled as needed for a one-on-one 4-hour session and the cost is $80.

Normal Public Library 

  • Contact Person: Lyndsey Carney
  • Contact Email: lcarney@normalpl.org
  • Contact Phone: 309.454.4668
  • Website: www.normalpl.org
  • Address: 206 W College Ave, Normal, IL 61761
  • Hours of Operation: M-Th 9am-8pm, Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 1pm-5pm

Mission Statement: The Normal Public Library is a valuable educational and recreational resource that enriches the quality of life for community residents. Providing maker tools to the public ensures that all community members have access, resources, and training to use these valuable tools. 

Maker Tools available to public: 3D printers, microcontrollers & robotics, sewing equipment, and art supplies. Art supplies include yarn, tape, washi tape, pipe cleaners, jewelry supplies, wood art supplies, markers, crayons, colored pencils, paper, scissors, mod podge, glue, and more!

Cost of Equipment: All equipment is available to all members of the public free of charge.

Equipment requiring training: More technical equipment requires training.

Educational Programming & Class Offerings: Library provides free of cost, in-person training for adults and teens for the silhouette cutting machine.

For questions or to learn more, please reach out to Rebekka Darner at rldarne@ilstu.edu.

Thank you!

2022-12-13T17:29:44.550349-08:00 2022