Aria Chung, 4, performs with Crayola dough whereas she and her mom Dianna Chung go to The Store on the South Novato Library in Novato on Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023. (Alan Dep/Marin Unbiased Journal)
Store coordinator Brandon Barragan, left, and intern Holden Martinez, 17, carry a desk out of The Store on the South Novato Library in Novato on Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023. Barragan and interns made the desk utilizing donated redwood. (Alan Dep/Marin Unbiased Journal)
A bin filled with security glasses are prepared for use in The Store on the South Novato Library in Novato on Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023. (Alan Dep/Marin Unbiased Journal)
Store coordinator Brandon Barragan stands by energy instruments in The Store on the South Novato Library in Novato on Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023. The Store provides library patrons an area to make use of instruments for woodworking, stitching, and knitting, amongst different crafts. (Alan Dep/Marin Unbiased Journal)
Skeins of yarn sit subsequent to a stitching machine in The Store on the South Novato Library in Novato on Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023. (Alan Dep/Marin Unbiased Journal)
When Dianna Chung walked by the open doorways of The Store along with her 4-year-old daughter, Aria, she was immediately drawn in.
Housed in Hamilton by the South Novato department of the Marin County Free Library, the free-to-use public area for constructing and creating at 931 C St. was reimagined in June. Previously Marin Makerspace, The Store now boasts the tools and capability for woodworking, knitting, crocheting, stitching, portray, bicycle upkeep and extra.
“We stumbled into this place. It seemed very cool,” mentioned Chung, a Marinwood resident. “It has a chill, artist collective really feel to it right here, and everyone seems to be so good. I’ve by no means seen a spot like this. I didn’t even comprehend it existed.”
Open to all — no library card wanted —the area was beforehand tech-focused, providing instruments and applications geared towards coding and 3D printing, mentioned coordinator Brandon Barragan. Modifications had been made in response to a group suggestions survey. Requests poured in for extra hands-on, rustic applications and instruments, particularly geared towards woodworking and stitching.
“We got here into it with the mindset of supporting the group and listening to their wants,” Barragan mentioned.
The survey was provided in each English and Spanish, and was open for 3 months. Barragan additionally informally surveyed three highschool courses — a demographic he wish to see extra engaged with the area.
All ages are actually welcome, supplied that youngsters underneath 8 are accompanied by an grownup. Beforehand, the maker area was solely open to youth between the ages of 8 and 12.
Holden Martinez, a library intern who has labored within the area because it was Marin Makerspace, mentioned he believes the adjustments have opened extra doorways as numerous age teams filter in to to study new abilities.
“I believe it’s had a whole lot of enchancment,” Martinez mentioned. “It’s been enjoyable to assist individuals study and enhance with initiatives.”
Barragan mentioned he’s beginning to see group members understand how they’ll use the area and the chance it presents. He mentioned he has seen individuals of all ranges — from by no means having touched a software earlier than to very skilled woodworkers — tackle initiatives. He mentioned he enjoys watching households are available in and work on initiatives concurrently.
Up to now, he has seen a dad make two planter pots for his spouse whereas his child coloured, and a mom study to crochet whereas her baby completed a craft. At some point, a 70-year-old lady walked in and mentioned she wished to make a big picket mallet — simply because she thought it was cool— and she or he did.
The Store is a partnership between the library system and the Novato Unified Faculty District. It has obtained funding from the Mates of the Novato Libraries and the Marin County Library basis. The library has a preliminary price range of $10,000, county library director Lana Adlawan mentioned. However many supplies are donated, in accordance with the workers.
“It’s very nice to see the totally different ranges of creativity,” Barragan mentioned. “We now have numerous individuals are available in with no expertise.”
Measures are in place to maintain everybody secure. The Store makes use of a stage system: stage one for abilities akin to portray and stitching that don’t require coaching or a waiver, and stage two for many woodworking and carpentry abilities that require a brief coaching session for energy instruments and a signed waiver.
The area is open on totally different days to varied ranges, and has a chosen household day wherein patrons can work with workers on a particular mission. Household days are also designated for particular applications, akin to piñata making, which is about for the primary Saturday in October.
Natalie McCall, the library department supervisor and training initiatives coordinator, mentioned areas akin to The Store are vital as a result of they foster the impartial, interest-led studying that libraries signify. The area additionally offers individuals the flexibility to discover new hobbies and passions.
“It’s an extension of what the library is: group and studying,” McCall mentioned. “But additionally the accessibility to discover hobbies. Woodworking, for instance, is an costly interest, however right here you possibly can come strive it out and see for those who prefer it first.”
Chung didn’t know if she had discovered a brand new interest but, however mentioned she can be again — her daughter has a faculty mission — making a doll from scratch — that may be good for the stitching machine. She mentioned the laid-back, calm and useful vibe made her excited to return.
“I’m not a helpful particular person,” Chung mentioned. “But it surely’s such a pleasant group. It’s very chill and non-judgmental.”
Info is at marinlibrary.org/the-shop/.
