L.a. public library maker space

[pucho812]

Nothing like free access to a  cnc machines, 3d printers, etc all with just a library card.  Something nice for a change out here

 

[john12ax7]

Interesting,  might have to look into this some more.

 

[pucho812]

It’s a small cnc machine, a large acrylic machine and other things, including pro tools. Want to cut a record at the library, great to work on your mix tape...
https://www.lapl.org/labs

 

[fazer]

This is a great development for our libraries.  I loved  shop  classes back in the 60’s.  E books are leaving room for other activities that require space.  This could be a modern version library.  I have a g rand daughter that is become an amazing seamstress with modern sewing skills for costumes for her drama class.  Anything that encourages creative endeavors is needed today. 

 

[pucho812]

while the hours are limited and nearly impossible for me to make, I do want to check it out and see what it's all about.  this looks cool.  plus I have an idea for  faceplates that would be etched and routed plastic but going over the chassis faceplate with holes for all the knobs. might be cool, might be ugly, only one way to find out.

 

[john12ax7]

I would definitely like to see how suitable it is for faceplates.

 

[pucho812]

I would definitely like to see how suitable it is for faceplates.

well from the description their CNC is small so wouldn't be so good for that.
CNC Mill Carve items smaller than 5.5" x 4.5" x 1.35".

But their laser cutter, maybe able to pull it off, just carve and etch plastic which would then fit over and bolt to the front the chassis
Laser Cutter

Carve and etch items 16" x 12" x 1/4" using your own materials: natural wood, cardboard, cardstock, acrylic, grip tape, sand paper, denim, and fabrics.

 

[Scodiddly]

My local library has a 3D printer, and is gradually adding other things.  Not to mention computer access and still plenty of books.

BTW, libraries are pretty much pure tax-supported socialism.  Just saying.  8)

 

[okgb]

libraries are one of the better uses of your tax dollars, free open to all
I started my musical life taking a bus to rent  lp's for 10 cents a week  , well before the internet there was no where else
I could get exposed to that much music at once.  Even now stream something to see if you want to buy it

 

[fazer]

libraries are one of the better uses of your tax dollars, free open to all
I started my musical life taking a bus to rent  lp's for 10 cents a week  , well before the internet there was no where else
I could get exposed to that much music at once.  Even now stream something to see if you want to buy it

What an incredible use of tax dollars.  You get information and entertainment as well as community and you have to be mindfully quiet so Mindless political discussions are not  Allowed.    And in my case a beautiful walk by the river at the edge of the Rocky Mountains.  It’s my favorite free morning activity.

 

[Ricardus]

This is a fantastic idea. I live in a small city that probably couldn't support a "normal" Maker's Space, so this might be ideal.

Although cutting metal on a chop saw might violate some library rules 

 

[sodderboy]

My local library has a 3D printer, and is gradually adding other things.  Not to mention computer access and still plenty of books.

BTW, libraries are pretty much pure tax-supported socialism.  Just saying.  8)

Thank Ben Franklin.  But Scott, it's really free access to borrow stuff, not free stuff, so is it really socialism? 
No CNC at our library, it's mostly an internet access and DVD/game lending, and my friends there say the DVD borrowing is slowing due to online streaming.
BTW, I recommend the Walter Isaccson Franklin bio.  I liked Jobs so much I read Franklin and was equally pleased.  I think Einstein is next. . .
Mike

 

[fazer]

I think Einstein is next. . .

I used my 360 axis app on iPhone to check this out and listen to it while walking my dogs everyday.  All from Jeffco Public Library .  I like the book very much. 

Save the borrow a book program.  Also great to read expensive news papers Like the WSJ in the Library.  Supposedly  there are cuts to the Library in the new budget.  I'm all for cutting back the defense budget to allow for these social programs to continue.  PBS and  NPR need to continue in the budget regardless of agreement to the liberal political nature of "some" of their programs.  I can listen to different points of view and handle it.  Condemnation of the other side is really a fundamentalist view which feels like a religious type of viewpoint.  Save the Library.

 

[pucho812]

My local library has a 3D printer, and is gradually adding other things.  Not to mention computer access and still plenty of books.

BTW, libraries are pretty much pure tax-supported socialism.  Just saying.  8)

you will have to explain the last line. how are they "tax-supported socialism"?

 

[midwayfair]

We have a tool library (not a book library with tools, a library for tools) and maker space in Baltimore. I have some friends that use it pretty regularly.

Can we please not assign political labels to libraries. Politicizing access to information is a quick way to dystopia.

 

[fazer]

Can we please not assign political labels to libraries. Politicizing access to information is a quick way to dystopia.

+1  Agree.  Free speech/thought is in the constitution.

 

[Winston OBoogie]

I'm not familiar with the history of American public libraries as relates to Ben Franklin but, Chetham's Library in my birth city of Manchester, UK claim to be the oldest public library in the English speaking world.  Continuously operating since 1653.
Other than being the place where Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels met to study books on economics while researching for 'The Communist Manifesto', it has no political association.    Unfortunately, it also has no CNC 3D printer. 
Go L.A. 

 

[PRR]

Libraries were historically rental clubs (or had wealthy patrons and limited access).

"In 1827..the social library of Castine, Maine (I lunch there), gave its collection to the town, which thereafter operated it as a free public library." "In 1849...the New Hampshire legislature authorized towns to levy taxes for the establishment and support of public libraries." link While authorized to spend public money for libraries, it was not done a lot.

In the US, capitalist Andrew Carnegie got so rich from steel that he sold-off turned philanthropist, endowing vast money to UK and US universities and 3,000 free libraries in the US. In the side-draft many towns and cities funded free libraries.

Yes, I think it is Socialism of the best type, a type I can support with my own money. (I haunt library book sales, often buying more than I need and paying more than they ask, "keep the change".)

 

[JohnRoberts]

Aren't books obsolete yet...? While I recall arguing with a guy back in the 70s that newspapers weren't obsolete (yet). That said I read recently that Warren Buffett just sold off his newspaper holdings.

I did a search to find the nearest library to me, looks like 10-15 miles. I doubt they have 3D printers.

I still buy books but mostly new, sometimes used if they are expensive only available as hardcovers.

JR

PS: when I moved south a couple decades ago i tried to donate years worth of trade journals to an engineering library, with no takers. I while back I mailed several boxes of them to a friend who said he would read them...  8)

 

[dmp]

I grew up in a neighborhood with a beautiful Carnegie library.  Public libraries are invaluable.

Pretty regularly there are attempts to defund / let the free market take over things like libraries. Why keep free libraries, supported by tax dollars, allowing everyone to use them free of charge, when you could let businesses charge money for the service? It is inherently political and economic.

But you don't like politicizing things like Libraries? Or National Parks? All the things that people have fought to keep while under pretty constant attack from small-government politicians? (libertarian, oligarchy, Republican, pick your label) 

Free speech / free thought is in the Constitution specifically (and ONLY) for government spaces - so you DO have 1st amendment rights in a library (or a public school, etc).
But take away public libraries, replace them with Amazon or some other private corp 'library' , and you WOULD NOT have a right to free speech.  And they certainly wouldn't be free and less people would be able to use them.

Why is a library 'socialist'? Maybe because it is owned and funded by the government and is free, so profit motivated companies have no way to compete.  But the term 'socialist' has so much baggage it is probably best to drop it.