It’s not certain exactly what it will be when it’s finished in about a year, but whatever it ends up being, it will be big.
As in 25,000 square feet big.
That’s the scale of the Jax Makerspace at the Main Library Downtown.
It’s about half of the first floor of the building in the area near the Zimmerman Overlook, the Teen Library and the E-Classroom. It’s where thousands of CDs, DVDs and audiobooks were shelved until a few months ago.
Those materials were moved to the second floor in an area formerly occupied by books and magazines, part of the evolution of the library at 303 N. Laura St.
“This building opened in 2005 and the world has changed in the past 11 years. Our physical collection needs less space,” said Jennifer Giltrop, deputy library director for public services.
With so many reference books and periodicals having transitioned to digital distribution, the floor plans were redesigned to create the open space on the first floor that will be devoted to exploration, collaboration and creation, she said.
The Makerspace is in what Giltrop calls its “pilot user accessibility phase.” What it becomes will depend on what the community wants it to become.
The first phase will be complete in about a year, she said, but Makerspace will constantly change to reflect the needs and interests of its users.
A survey is being conducted to determine what guests would like to see in the space and what they’d like to do when they’re there.
Classes and scheduled activities so far include computer coding skills, crafts, digital audio engineering, genealogy, guitar lessons, robotics, weekly workshops for people who want to write a novel and 3-D printing.
One of the most popular initial offerings is adult coloring with coloring books and supplies provided by the library.
“We’ve had 60 people in that class,” said Giltrop.
Startup for the space was supported by a $15,000 grant from Friends of the Jacksonville Public Library and the library’s foundation is conducting a capital campaign to help sustain the program.
Partners include the Jacksonville Community of Entrepreneurs, the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville and artists from all disciplines.
“Engaging the entrepreneur, tech and arts communities has led to ideas about how the space can be used,” said Giltrop.
It’s about being the library for the 21st century and continuing to meet the needs of the community, which currently is trending toward hands-on creative endeavors and thinking beyond what’s considered conventional.
“The library exists to serve everyone and the Main Library is in the center of the community,” said Giltrop. “Who knows what could be born here?”
For more information and the schedule of activities, visit jaxpubliclibrary.org/jax-makerspace.
(904) 356-2466