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 where you can access technology like laser cutting, 3D printing, die-cutting and sublimation printing. Reserve a one-on-one session to start creating!
Reservations can be made 30 days in advance, so keep checking back for additional availability!
How It Works
Use the booking calendar to request a one-on-one appointment with our Creative Technology staff. Sessions are 60 minutes and are available to Jefferson County resident cardholders 14 years and older with an account in good standing. All equipment reservations must be made 12 hours in advance. All participants must sign and accept our Terms of Use, opens a new window before using the space.
Explore Our Equipment
Schedule an appointment in the Create Space to access the below equipment.
If you are interested in completing larger projects or projects with your own materials, prior approval is required.
3D Printing
Prusa MK4S
- Produce figurines, game pieces, shelving units and more.
- During your appointment, a selection of polylactic acid (PLA) filament will be provided. No outside filament is allowed.
- Print times are limited to five hours. Your job may be added to a print queue.
Die-Cutting
Cricut Maker 3
- Craft paper cards, vinyl decals, seasonal decorations and more.
- During your appointment, a selection of permanent and removable vinyl, heat-transfer vinyl, cardstock, infusible ink transfer sheets, felt, foil transfer sheets and pens will be available.
Laser Cutting
Glowforge Pro
- Create jewelry, puzzles, coasters and more.
- During your appointment, a selection of hardwood and plywood sheets will be available.
The Glowforge Pro bed can accommodate materials measuring 12 inches x 20.4 inches x .05 inches. The maximum printable area is approximately 11 inches x 19.5 inches.
The following materials are NOT allowed in the laser cutter:
- Draft board
- Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
- Highly reflective or uncoated metal and plastic
- Fake leather
- Glass
- Medium-density fibreboard (MDF)
- Polycarbonate
- Foam board
- Acrylic
- Rubber
Sublimation Printing
Epson SureColor F170 Printer, Cricut Mug Press and Cricut EasyPress 2
- Make custom mugs, shirts, tote bags and more.
- During your appointment, a selection of sublimation blanks with be available.
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 request a one-on-one appointment with our Creative Technology staff. Sessions are two hours and are available to Jefferson County resident cardholders 14 years and older with an account in good standing, opens a new window. All reservations must be made 24 hours in advance.
Complete an Orientation — During your first visit, we'll introduce you to everything you need to know about the space and equipment. Once your orientation is complete, you can book independent sessions 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
- Focusrite Scarlett 4i4
Digital Media Studio FAQs
-
Please use our booking system available here.
-
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:
-
- 30 minutes of setup
- 60 minutes of recording
- 30 minutes of exporting/saving progress
-
-
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.
-
At this time, only Jefferson County resident cardholders aged 14 and older with a card in good standing can use the Digital Media Studio.
-
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.
-
- 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
- Focusrite Scarlett 4i4
Getting Started
Get a library card and access all of the great online resources JCPL has to offer.
Technology FAQs
-
Virtual events and hybrid Board meetings are presented on Zoom. For best results, you can download the Zoom mobile app or Zoom desktop client. You may also join from a browser at join.zoom.us.
For virtual events, Zoom login instructions and a link to the event are sent out 30-minutes prior to the start of the event. You will need the information in the email in order to join the meeting.
For Board Meetings, Zoom login information is listed on the Board Meeting page, including the direct meeting link, Webinar ID, passcode and call-in information.
-
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.
-
About 10 minutes before your virtual event, click on the Zoom link from your confirmation email, or go directly to Zoom . Enter the Meeting or Webinar ID and/or passcode from your confirmation email and click Join. You may be prompted to download the app, which is recommended, but you can decline and attend the event through the browser.
-
Yes, all of our libraries offer Wi-Fi. Connect to the “JCPL Public” network for free.
-
If you are unable to connect to the program, webinar or meeting, check your internet/Wi-Fi connection. You can also disconnect from your wireless or turn off from your device, count to 5, then turn it back on or connect again.
If the link you received is not working, try the following:
- On a web browser
- Go to zoom.us
- Enter the Meeting or Webinar ID number, and passcode if required, from the email or webpage
- On the Zoom app:
- Open the Zoom app
- Click the blue Join a Meeting button
- Enter the Meeting or Webinar ID number, and passcode if required, from the email or webpage
- On a phone to call in:
- Dial the teleconferencing number from the email
- On the keypad, enter the Meeting or Webinar ID number, and passcode if required, from the email or webpage
- Press pound
- Press pound again to join the meeting
- Dial the teleconferencing number from the email
If you are still having problems, you can call 303-235-5275 for additional help
- On a web browser
