Groundworks, Herrick District Library’s community creative space and digital media lab, offers access to new and emerging technologies at the main branch of the library. This resource is not only amazing for people wanting to try out a new hobby and make gifts for loved ones, but it also allows businesses and nonprofits to be able to accomplish goals and benefit their organizations.
Most of the time, patrons utilize Groundworks for printing posters, button making, crafting, and 3D printing. However, Groundworks can do a lot more than print posters for advertising a business. Many organizations have used this community resource to laser print name tags, make vinyl decals for shirts, and even embroider logos. For example, a local church made name tags for their staff members using the laser engraver. The laser engraver can cut through many materials such as wood and varying types of metals, which is perfect for nametags or labels.
Groundworks has also helped athletic groups with their shirt designing and printing. CrossFit Holland, for instance, was one shirt short for an annual competition, and they were able to quickly make one with the vinyl cutter. Similarly, The Hope soccer club also used the vinyl cutter to make extra team shirts for their players.
While many groups and organizations have used Groundworks, it is also a great tool for academics and schools in the area. A school teacher used the die cut to cut 400 paper ducks, one for each student in the elementary school, to create a collaborative art piece in one of the school’s hallways. A homeschooling group, First Addition Home School Collaborative, also used Groundworks to print large format banners and class schedules to welcome students back to school. Another example in the academic realm would include the Degraaf Nature Center (also known as the Outdoor Discovery Center), who used the 3D printer to print pieces for their hands-on activity exhibits such as replicas of snake scales and a bird skeleton.
There is even an organization, the Renew Therapeutic Riding Center, that used our embroidery machine to stitch their logo on their horses' saddle pads. This was one of the most interesting uses of Groundworks because the staff had to troubleshoot how to embroider into such thick material for the horse’s saddle. However, they were able to assist the riding center in completing this project.
Groundworks is available to all library users, and is staffed with trained professionals that know how to use each and every tool in the design lab. Staff members in Groundworks heavily encourage users to be independent, but one-on-one appointments are also available. The Groundworks staff highly recommend booking a one-on-one meeting with them during open hours to learn how to use the desired tools for a project and understand how to safely use all of the high-tech equipment that they have available.
You can book a one-on-one appointment with the groundworks staff by searching up the Groundworks staff at herrickdl.org/groundworks There, you can find the hours of operation, as well as the buttons for scheduling an appointment and reserving equipment. Select the appointment tab and put in a day and time that works for you. The staff highly suggest that first time attendees schedule a one-on-one appointment to learn all about the equipment in Groundworks, and how to operate it safely for both the patron and the equipment. Some tools offered in Groundworks require a one-on-one appointment before using because they are items that could cause injury if someone doesn’t know how to operate them. Once you learn how to use the equipment, patrons are able to reserve equipment for personal use, or drop in to Groundworks.
