Creative Technology at JCPL
Get curious with JCPL’s Creative Technology services! From recording your own podcast to 3D printing, we have the technology you need to begin your creative journey. We offer 3D printing, laser cutting, robotics classes, audio recording and more!
Project Gallery
Looking for inspiration? Explore some of the things you can make at JCPL’s Create Space or through the many Creative Technology events we offer. Click on any image to enlarge.
Create Space
About the Create Space
The Create Space at Belmar Library is a community makerspace for inventing, exploring and helping your ideas come to life. Try DIY projects like laser cutting, 3D printing, die-cutting or sublimation printing. Reserve a one-on-one session with our Creative Technology staff to learn the ropes and start creating!
How it Works
Reserve a Session — Use the booking calendar to reserve a 60-minute session in the Create Space. Sessions are available to Jefferson County resident cardholders 14 years and older with an account in good standing. All equipment reservations must be made 24 hours in advance. All participants must sign and accept our Terms of Use, opens a new window before using the space.
Complete an Orientation — We'll teach you the basics of the equipment you want to use and get you started on your first project. Orientation sessions are mandatory for each type of equipment to ensure safety and proper usage. Orientation sessions take approximately 15 minutes and occur during your reserved time slot.
Build Your Skills — No specific skills or prerequisite knowledge is required to attend a session. We offer resources, guidance and assistance to help you turn your ideas into reality.
Start Making — Once you complete an orientation session, you can make reservations to use the equipment independently with staff help on hand.
Available Equipment
The Create Space offers access to the following services and equipment. Click on the image or heading to learn more about each service.
3D Printing
Prusa i3 MK4 3D Printer
Die-Cutting
Cricut Maker 3 (includes Cricut Design Space with a Cricut Access account)
Laser Cutting
Glowforge Pro 3D Laser Printer (includes Glowforge Design App with a Glowforge Premium account)
Sublimation Printing
Cricut Mug Press (pictured), Epson SureColor F170 Sublimation Printer and Cricut Heat Press
Digital Media Studio
About the Digital Media Studio
The Digital Media Studio has all the equipment you need to get your podcast, music composition or original recording on the airwaves. You can even edit and mix your own recordings. Get started with an orientation session, where a librarian will guide you through the space and equipment.
How it Works
Reserve a Session — Use the booking calendar to reserve a session in the Digital Media Studio. Sessions are available to Jefferson County resident cardholders 14 years and older with an account in good standing. All reservations must be made 24 hours in advance.
Complete an Orientation — We’ll introduce you to everything you need to know about the space and equipment. Once completed, you can book independent sessions.
Build Your Skills — No specific skills or prerequisite knowledge is required to attend a session. We offer resources, guidance and assistance to help you turn your ideas into reality.
Start Making — Once you complete an orientation session, you can make reservations to use the studio independently with staff help on hand.
Available Equipment
- iMac Pro (includes Audacity, FL Studio, GarageBand, Logic Pro)
- MacBook Pro (includes Audacity, FL Studio, GarageBand, Logic Pro)
- Studio Grade Dynamic Microphone with adjustable arms
- RODE Caster Pro
- ProFX12V2
Digital Media Studio FAQs
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Please use our booking system available here.
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Podcasting Orientation: The podcasting orientation provides instruction for the equipment in the space as well as an overview of podcast production, including recording and publishing a podcast. There’s an additional hour of time available to try recording.
Independent recording session: After you attend an orientation session, you can book an independent time slot. During this session, there’s two hours of time available in the digital media studio to record, edit, mix, test. Staff will be on hand to assist with troubleshooting. Below is a typical breakdown of recording time:
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- 30 minutes of setup
- 60 minutes of recording
- 30 minutes of exporting/saving progress
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You are free to use this time to record, but you are also welcome to try out the equipment, do a test recording, access the post production tools available in the space.
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Jefferson county resident cardholders aged 14 and older with a card in good standing.
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Two people are allowed in the space at a time. The space outside is used for other purposes, so we need you to stay in the dedicated media studio.
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- iMac Pro (includes Audacity, FL Studio, GarageBand, Logic Pro)
- 2 Studio Grade Dynamic Microphones (with adjustable arms)
- Mackie ProFX 12 Channel Mixer
Creative Technology Events
From drop-in labs to guided classes and workshops, we offer a variety of Creative Technology events. Check our calendar to find upcoming programs.
Explore Creative Technology Tools and Equipment
3D Printing Details
Prusa i3 MK4 3D Printer
3D printing is a manufacturing technique that creates a physical object based on digital renderings by "printing" layer upon layer of filament.
3D Printing FAQs
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To use a 3D printer at the Library, schedule your orientation to the Create Space. After the orientation, you will have access to the equipment for the duration of your reservation and future Create Space bookings.
3D printers may also be available during special workshops. Check our event calendar for upcoming offerings.
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The 3D Printing orientation will cover the basics of 3D printing. A selection of polylactic acid (PLA) filament will be provided. We use PLA filament as it is generally regarded as an easy-to-use, nontoxic material for 3D printing. No outside filament is allowed.
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Depending on the length of the print job and printer availability, your print may be added to a queue. You will be notified when it’s completed. Inquiries about current 3D printing requests can be submitted to CreativeTechnology@JeffcoLibrary.org.
Learn More
- What is 3D printing?, opens a new window (video)
- Learn 3D Design, opens a new window (Tinkercad tutorials)
Die-Cutting Details
Cricut Maker 3 (includes Cricut Design Space with a Cricut Access account)
Digital die-cutting involves the use of an electronic cutting machine with specialized blades that precisely cut, shape or score various materials. Die-cutting machines can be utilized to design and personalize a vast array of projects, including cards, apparel, drinkware and much more.
Die-Cutting FAQs
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To use a digital die-cutter, schedule your orientation to the Create Space. After the orientation, you will have access to the equipment for the duration of your reservation and future Create Space bookings.
Digital die-cutting machines may also be available during special workshops. Check our event calendar for upcoming offerings.
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The die-cutting orientation session will cover the basics of cutting and design skills. A Cricut Maker 3 machine is available, with options for premium fine-point blade tips, foil transfer tips, scoring wheels, and fine-point pens. Some additional materials will be provided, including a selection of permanent and removable vinyl, heat-transfer vinyl, cardstock, infusible ink transfer sheets, felt, foil transfer sheets, a variety of pens, weeding tools and transfer tape. If you are interested in completing larger projects or projects with your own materials, prior approval is required.
Learn More
- Cricut page (What is Cricut?, opens a new window)
Laser Cutting Details
Glowforge Pro 3D Laser Printer (includes Glowforge Design App with a Glowforge Premium account)
Laser cutting, also known as laser 3D printing, is a process that uses a high-power laser to cut, engrave and score a variety of materials for both industrial and artistic applications.
Laser Cutting FAQs
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To use laser cutting (laser 3D printing) equipment at the Library, schedule your orientation to the Create Space. After the orientation, you will have access to the equipment for the duration of your reservation and future Create Space bookings.
Laser cutting (laser 3D printing) may also be available during special workshops. Check our event calendar for upcoming offerings.
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The orientation session will cover the basics of cutting and design skills. A Glowforge Pro 3D laser printer machine is available. The Glowforge Pro bed can accommodate materials measuring 12 in x 20.4 in. The maximum printable area is approximately 11 in deep and 19.5 in wide. The maximum material height is 0.5 in.
Some materials will be provided, including a selection of hardwood and plywood sheets. If you are interested in completing larger projects or projects with your own materials, prior approval is required.
The following materials are NOT allowed in the laser cutter:
- Draft board
- MDF
- PVC
- Polycarbonate
- Highly reflective or uncoated metal and plastics
- Foam Board
- Fake leathers
- Acrylic
- Glass
Learn More
- Glowforge EDU Tutorials (Glowforge Tutorials, opens a new window)
- Glowforge YouTube (Introducing Glowforge – The 3D Laser Printer, opens a new window)
- Glowforge EDU, opens a new window
Sublimation Printing Details
Cricut Mug Press, Epson SureColor F170 Sublimation Printer and Cricut Heat Press
Sublimation printing utilizes heat to infuse dye into fabric or ceramics for long-lasting prints on apparel, mouse pads, mugs and more. Specialized ink, paper and sublimation blanks are required for this process.
Sublimation Printing FAQs
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To use sublimation printing equipment at the Library, schedule your orientation to the Create Space. After the orientation, you will have access to the equipment for the duration of your reservation and future Create Space bookings.
Sublimation printing may also be available during special workshops. Check our event calendar for upcoming offerings.
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The orientation session will cover the basics of printing and design skills. Some materials will be provided, including a selection of sublimation blanks and sublimation paper. If you are interested in completing larger projects or projects with your own materials, prior approval is required.
Getting Started
Get a library card and access all of the great online resources JCPL has to offer.
General Technology FAQs
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Each of our libraries has public computers with internet and Microsoft Office. You can reserve a computer, opens a new window with a valid library card.
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Yes, all of our libraries offer Wi-Fi. Connect to the “JCPL Public” network for free.
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Yes, printing is available from all JCPL computers, and from your own laptop by using instructions available here. Printing and copying costs: color is $0.25 per page; black and white is $0.10 per page.
Every library also has a copy machine that scans and faxes. Scanning and faxing are free.
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We have Wi-Fi hotspots and Chromebooks available for Jefferson County residents to check out and take home. Hotspots check out for 7 days, and Chromebooks check out for 60 days. We also have laptops that can be reserved and used in the library at Arvada, Belmar, Columbine, Golden, Edgewater, Evergreen and Lakewood.
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Two microfilm readers are available at the Lakewood Library. The machines can crop, print, email and save to a flash drive.
