Waterloo library’s maker bike program is up and rolling
WATERLOO — You might see Jaymis Goertz pull screwdrivers, hammers and pre-cut wood panels out of a bicycle trailer at a community event this summer.
The bicycle with a revamped old children’s trailer attached to it is also known as the “Maker-Bike,” Waterloo Public Library’s newest resource. You’ve probably heard of a library on wheels. “This is programming on wheels,” Goertz, a Waterloo Public Library programmer, said.
The mobile do-it-yourself station will travel to community events this summer with tools and materials in tow to build a variety of projects from birdhouses to tool boxes.
For Goertz, literacy is not just about books. Tool literacy is important, too.
“The kids build these things themselves and learn about different tools and how to use them,” he said.
Goertz fashioned the bicycle’s trailer to resemble a Conestoga wagon. It has already made a few trips in the city.
He built small tool boxes with a group of kids at a Clair Lake event while their parents helped build a park.
At a public school’s fun run, he helped children make squirt guns with PVC pipe.
“I try to come up with an idea that ties into what’s going on,” he said.
Goertz is a part of local maker groups and is an enthusiast himself. The idea of a maker bike started out as an April Fool’s Day joke by a group in London.
“It got a lot of positive feedback, actually,” Goertz said. So he decided to try and make it happen. Goertz believes this mobile maker station is the first one to exist — anywhere.
“It’s great because it’s going out there and getting kids excited to learn how to make things,” he said.
The maker bike is already booked at about a dozen community events this summer. Goertz said he tried to pinpoint different neighbourhoods on a city map so each general area gets to benefit from the bike.
He’s got a whole list of fun projects to build this summer, from bat boxes to boats.
He notes that it isn’t only for children — anyone can participate.
The program has a small budget from the library, but as a maker himself, Goertz said he has been able to recycle some materials and collect leftovers from the public.
He hasn’t run into problems fitting all his materials and tools in the trailer so far.
“The ride back is always easier anyway because all the materials get used up.”
To find out where the maker bike will be throughout the summer, go to www.wpl.ca/makerbike.