The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Create Space, FireFish Festival form partnership
Art lovers have no shortage of opportunities or materials to be creative lifelong learners.
Erin Hallahan, strategic initiatives manager for innovation at the Lorain Public Library System, said the Create Space at the Main Library, 351 W. Sixth St. in downtown Lorain, is where “ideas come to life.”
Hallahan believes the popularity of such spaces is the next evolution of libraries as community resources.
“It part of our larger mission for lifelong learning,” she said. “Technology is moving so quickly. We’re trying to make sure everyone can learn about it.”
The Create Space is one reason the Lorain Public Library System is a key partner in the FireFish Arts Festival.
This summer, the library will host a number of workshops for youth and community artists to create lanterns for the Festival’s finale parade.
“We’re going to see how creative we can get,” Hallahan said.
The Create Space includes a sewing and embroidery machine, Cricut tools for creating decals and stencils, and a GlowForge which will laser cut and engrave designs on materials ranging from wood to glass.
Hallahan said the space is a great resource for small local businesses that need to create decals or giveaways.
Basic “101” workshops on each machine are offered frequently and many staff members take advantage.
“The staff has been great just trying all the equipment and applying it to programs,” Hallahan said. “There’s usually some type of application to real life to learning these machines.”
Creativity extends all the way to the lakeshore with the library’s Maker in Residence program.
This summer, FireFish Artist Ryan Craycraft will hold workshops and studio hours at the Little Library on the Lake.
The unique facility in Lakeview Park in Lorain has loaned games and sporting equipment to patrons since 2020, said Lorain Public Library System Marketing Director Jennifer Black.
“People don’t really know what to make of it at first,” Black said. “But when it’s open and operating, there is no doubt; it is surrounded by families want to see what is available and kids having fun with the various games and equipment.”
The Little Library on the Lake will be open the first weekend in June through the second weekend of August.
For more information on programs in the Create Space, at the lake or throughout the Lorain Public Library System, visit www.lorainpubliclibrary. org.