Libraries across New Jersey will be joining schools, museums, and other community spaces on March 22nd and 23rd in a statewide celebration of making and maker culture. While maker culture seems to be everywhere these days, libraries are uniquely well-positioned to provide dynamic and engaging opportunities for community-wide education, entrepreneurship, and hands-on learning experiences.
The Elizabeth Public Library will teach people of all ages to make a variety of projects, hosting over 50 programs in a single day on Saturday, March 23. Activities will include: screenprinting, bubble art, healthy snacking, virtual reality demonstrations, music, sewing, green screen studio, coding, weaving, collaging, origami, button-making, vision boards, stressless balls, nail art, and much more. All activities are free and open to the public.
“New Jersey Makers Day is all about building a stronger, more connected, community in Elizabeth through the celebration of making, tinkering, engineering, & most importantly – sharing,” says Tracy Robinson, Head of Teen Services at Elizabeth Public Library. “It is a pleasure to see all of the diverse skills and interests that our community is willing to share with each other, and to watch this effort grow, year after year.”
The focus at the Fort Lee Public Library will be showcasing local trades and crafts. Participants this year will include an engineer, a jeweler, a yarn spinner, and more. Library staff will provide a 3D printing demonstration, and drop-in crafts for all ages including paper engineering, button making, and LEGO building.
“Through our programming and services, we encourage people of all ages to learn, connect, and express themselves,” says Sarah Pardi, Head of Youth Services at Fort Lee Public Library. “Being an active participant in the Maker movement has allowed us to support our community in this way. New Jersey Makers Day is the perfect opportunity to engage our community creatively while showcasing all the Library has to offer.”
Burlington County Library will celebrate New Jersey Makers Day through their Annual Makers Faire scheduled for Saturday, March 23, from 10:00am to 2:00pm at the library in Westhampton. Visitors will be invited to create, tinker and explore at more than 30 “maker stations” throughout the library, including coding robots, a green screen, STEM Scouts, fashion design, vinyl record pressing, virtual reality, 3D printing, the Evesham Green Team, the Burlington County Animal Shelter, crafts, origami, STEM activities and more.
“The Burlington County Library Makers Faire gives visitors an opportunity to learn about maker culture and discover local businesses and organizations taking part in the exciting maker movement, and it grows more popular with the community each year,” said BCLS Youth Services Coordinator Christina Nemphos. “Last year, nearly 1,000 people, including adults, teens and children of all ages, joined the celebration. We look forward to welcoming even more people to this year’s event, including techies, homespun crafters, and anyone with an enthusiasm for creating!”
New Jersey Makers Day attracted more than 100,000 residents statewide in 2018. With more than 300 locations across the state this year, there is certain to be a location near you! Visit http://njmakersday.org/index.php/sitelocations/ for a complete list of participating locations. New Jersey Makers Day is made possible this year by generous support from the PSEG Foundation and the New Jersey State Library.
New Jersey Makers Day began in 2015 to enhance community engagement and develop connections among New Jersey residents by collaborating with multi-type libraries, museums, small businesses and other organizations to promote and explore new opportunities for entrepreneurship, innovation and hands-on learning experiences.
In 2016, New Jersey Makers Day was expanded to be a two-day event. New Jersey Makers Day is now an independent 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation and a registered New Jersey Charity, thereby able to accept tax-deductible donations to grow the event across the state.