By Kara Reedy—
In celebration of the holiday season, the Miami community was invited to create their own holiday gifts in the TEC Lab Makerspace found in the Gardner-Harvey Library. This location has consistently held creative events where attendees are encouraged to take a crafty approach to the highlighted holiday. Those who found themselves in the Makerspace on December 1st were able to construct presents for their loved ones using the wide variety of materials provided by the librarians. The Gardner-Harvey staff has held similar events in the past few years. However, they have never before had nearly as many options for creative expression as they did this year.
The TEC Lab Makerspace has a wide array of creative outlets available to visitors. The full bulk of what is available at the Makerspace was open for use. The lab allowed attendees to create all sorts of holiday gifts, and has several maker options available, including 3D printers and pens, button-making machines, laser cutters and engravers, and printing equipment that assists users in transferring all sorts of images to objects and clothing. Aside from providing crafting machinery, the librarians also included several crafting goods for attendees: glitter, tinsel, and fake snow were all available, among other materials. Jennifer Hicks and Jessie Long, librarians Gardner-Harvey, also offered to assist with the creative process, providing instruction and help with using the available resources.
Participants could create all manner of holiday gifts for their friends and family. There were wooden ornaments and spatulas which could be engraved using laser cutters. Some community members utilized the extensive printing equipment, pasting holiday sentiments onto glassware and potholders. Also available were sets of empty tree ornaments, which could be filled with all sorts of festive decorations. The event was open-ended, with an emphasis on personal choice. Those attending were allowed to create whatever they wanted with the allotted crafting goods and machinery; the opportunities for creation were virtually limitless.
Finals week can be a stressful time for students and teachers alike, so having a creative outlet to ease some of that pressure can really make a difference. The staff at the Gardner-Harvey Library clearly prioritizes the Miami community; their mission has always been to be there for those who are struggling with their classes. Whether assisting in research or just giving students an opportunity to relax, the librarians do all they can to make their visitors feel welcome. Taking some time out of your busy schedule to focus on something creative and purposeful can truly help you refocus yourself. Give yourself a holiday present and take advantage of this wonderful resource on our campus.
If you are curious about any future events, please feel free to contact the librarians at Gardner-Harvey Library.
Contact Information
- John Burke: [email protected]
- Jessie Long: [email protected]
- Jennifer Hicks: [email protected]