by Ann Riordan

We hear a lot these days about Makerspaces. What a wonderful concept - providing a space and resources where people can come together, make things, share ideas and work on projects together. However the ordinary person may think that makerspaces are the refuge of technology and tech enthusiasts. But what about all the creative groups that meet and use our libraries, what about the arts and craft workshops we have hosted down through the years?

We already saw the broadening of the term STEM - to STEAM -  the A standing for Arts. This approach has been so successful, no-one disputes the role of Arts in conjunction with Science and Technology. But what if you are not a child? And what if you are a little bit afraid or intimidated by technology? Public libraries have long offered spaces for groups to meet and share ideas. But we have also moved with the times. Looking at Cork City Libraries most recent events guide highlights the vast range of makerspace activities, be they high-tech, low-tech or no tech at all! I'm sure you will agree there is something for everyone, and best of all, all our events are free!  

What can we help you make today?

Check out our Libraries for:

3D printers and workshops in Reference Library and Bishopstown Library

Coder Dojo in Tory Top Library

Adult coding classes in Reference Library, Blackpool and Tory Top Library

Lego Clubs in all our libraries

Graphic novel workshops for young adults

Portable graphics lab projects for young adults

Comic zine project for children in Ballincollig Library and Tory Top Library

Film making projects for young adults

Videogame club in Mayfield Library

Raspberry Pi workshop in Bishopstown Library

e-services demonstrations in Reference Library, and Hollyhill Library

Make sensory books, a Growing Imaginations project for adults with intellectual disabilities

Knitting groups in Ballincollig Library, Glanmire Library, and Hollyhill Library

Crochet group in Blackpool Library, Glanmire Library, Hollyhill Library

Cork Textile Network events and exhibitions in Bishopstown Library

Arts and crafts workshops for families all year round - including Adult Art Group in Blackpool Library, a drawing club in Mayfield Library

Creative writing workshops, including Summer School of Creative Writing

Make music - guitar lessons, ukulele groups, and Gamelan workshops, in Hollyhill Library and the Rory Gallagher Music Library.

In addition, you can:

Book a room for your Makerspace group

Hold an exhibition of your Maker products or activities

Borrow media creation equipment (Zoom recorders, GoPro cameras).

Use your library membership to take a free online course in Art, Crafts & Hobbies or web development or technology. 

Use your library membership to borrow emagazines on makertech activities 

by Ann Riordan

Next Saturday 29 February 2020 is Ireland's first National Public Libraries Open Day. As it is Leap Day, we are asking you to #LeapIntoLibraries. At Cork City Libraries we are celebrating with a full programme of events across all our ten locations in Cork City. From Images of Cork a presentation by Michael Lenihan, to Tracing and Tales storytime and colouring, to 3D Printing - pop in! You will enjoy old favourites, and discover things happening in your library that just might surprise you! 

Here are 18 things you may not know about Cork City Libraries.

1. It's free, that's right, library membership has been free for all since 2016.

2. No fines, yes, since 2019 there are no fines for returning your items late.

3. You can borrow from a range of 12 million items, not just books. Libraries lend CDs, DVDs, toys, media equipment, even a home energy kit for you to keep track of your energy use at home!

4. You can learn to play the ukulele or the the guitar, all free of charge. Hollyhill Library and City Library both have regular ukulele classes. The Rory Gallagher Music Library has upcoming guitar classes for beginners!

5. You need never set foot in your library to use library resources. We have 13,000 eBooks and 6000 eAudiobooks from you to download to your device, free with your library membership.

6. Music lovers are well catered for, with free access to Freegal and Naxos music streaming services. Freegal has 15 million music tracks and videos across all genres. Naxos allows access to over 2 million classical music tracks. Visit our website and search Freegal or Naxos for details.

7. We have over 3000 free events every year, from book clubs, to author visits, to Cork World Book Fest, to Children's Book Festival, exhibitions, workshops and classes - all free! Pick up our Events Guide, or check our social media for listings.

8. Did you know that you can book a library space for your event, club or group. Contact your local library to enquire about room facilities.

9. Did you know that Local Studies has over 16,000 books, maps, images and photographs of Cork? And newspapers going back to the 1700s? Much of the collection has also been made available online at www.corkpastandpresent.ie!

10. Did you know that our patrons borrowed almost 800,000 items from our libraries in 2019? That's 3.8 items for every person in Cork.

11. Did you know that internet and Wi-Fi is free in all our libraries?

12. Did you know that two of our libraries have 3D printers for public use? Reference Library, Grand Parade and Bishopstown Library have Ultimaker 2+ 3D printers, and patrons can get one free print per week. Visit our 3D Printing page for guides and free 3D files of library merchandise to download.

13. Did you know that the Rory Gallagher Music Library has over 48,000 CDs, DVDs, sheet music, and music books for you to borrow? Call in, and pause to admire Rory Gallagher's replica stratocaster on the way!

14. Want to brush up on your French? Interested in taking an online computer course? Your library membership gives you free access to TLO language learning courses, and Universal Class courses. All you need is your library card.

15. Save a tree and download your magazines and newspapers free to your device! Cork City Libraries offers free access to RBDigital magazines and PressReader for members.

16. Want to learn to code? Cork City Libraries are running free coding classes for adult learners in City Library, Blackpool Library and Tory Top Library. Give them a call to find out next starting date.

17. Did you know that Cork City Libraries runs many projects to support inclusion for all people of Cork - from our extensive collections of large print and audiobooks, Library Link housebound services, to autism friendly and deaf friendly initiatives, our Out-Lit LGBTi+ book club, Conversation Café and more!

18. Want to find books that can help? Our Healthy Ireland, Your Good Self and Life Skills collections contain books on health and wellbeing topics. Check out the catalogue or ask a librarian today.