Back in 2017 when Riverside Public Library officials were finalizing plans to renovate the building’s lower level, setting aside a dedicated area for a makerspace was not part of the plan.
At the time, makerspaces were still a novel idea in the library world, and according to Library Director Janice Foley, creating such a space was not something she’d heard much interest in.
That’s changed.
Last month, Riverside Public Library unveiled its new makerspace, which it has dubbed “The Spot,” in what is the rear half of the expanded public meeting room that was part of the 2017 renovation design.
“Libraries are not just books anymore,” said Jordan Bravo, coordinator for The Spot, who also works as a librarian in Information Services. He’s assisted by Children and Youth Services librarian Nikki Duran.
The devices in the space include 3-D printers, a…