Makerspace FAQs

  • General Questions

    For any questions, you can reach the EPL Makerspace staff at: makerspace@epl.ca.

    Yes, there are Makerspace Assistants on hand at all times. The Assistants aren’t experts on everything; however, they are there to help and learn things together.

    Yes—booking computers and equipment requires a library card. EPL resident cards, post-secondary L-Pass, Metro and TAL cards are all accepted.

  • Recording Studios

    Each customer who would like to book an EPL studio must complete a studio certification. A staff member will certify you at the beginning of your first booking. They will explain the booking procedures, check-in/out procedures, studio guidelines, give you a tour of the studios and answer any questions you might have. This should take 10-15 minutes. 

    Our studios are very popular so we recommend booking ahead of time.

    Milner Recording Studios 

    Call or email the Makerspace team (780.944.5342, makerspace@epl.ca), or make a booking in person. You will need to have your library card number handy when you make a booking. Our bookings are two and a half hours long except on Saturday and Sunday. We have built gaps between bookings into our schedule to allow for enhanced cleaning measures. Customers can have a maximum of two and a half studio bookings in the booking system at one time.

    Milner Studio Booking Times

    Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday

    9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.

    12:30 p.m. – 3 p.m.

    3:30 p.m. – 6 p.m.

    6:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.

    9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.

    12:30 p.m. – 3 p.m.

    3:30 p.m. – 6 p.m.

    6:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.

    9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.

    12:30 p.m. – 3 p.m.

    3:30 p.m. – 6 p.m.

    6:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.

    9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.

    12:30 p.m. – 3 p.m.

    3:30 p.m. – 6 p.m.

    6:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.

    9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.

    12:30 p.m. – 3 p.m.

    3:30 p.m. – 6 p.m.

    6:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.

    9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

    12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

    3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

    1:30 p.m. – 3 p.m.

    3:30 p.m. – 5 p.m.

    Whitemud Crossing Recording Studio 

    The Whitemud Crossing Studio can be booked over the phone (780-496-1822) or in person. This studio is available every day during opening hours and can be booked for up to two hours at a time.

    Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
    10 a.m. – 9 p.m. 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.. 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.

    The studios can be booked by anyone who is at least 12 years old with a valid Edmonton Public library card. Many alternative card options are available for students and residents of surrounding communities.

    Children under the age of 12 may use the studios with the supervision of a caregiver or guardian. A caregiver or guardian must book the studio with a library card and must complete the studio certification.

    Customers must complete an in-person Studio Certification with Makerspace staff at the beginning of their first booking.  

  • Heat Press

    EPL provides heat transfer vinyl at the Stanley A. Milner Library. To check on available colours, please contact the downtown branch..

    The Stanley A. Milner Makerspace has Premium Plus Heat Transfer Vinyl, Holographic Heat Transfer Vinyl, and Glitter Flake Heat Transfer Vinyl.

    Colours and availability may vary.

    Cotton or cotton-poly blends work best. Your design will need to pressed onto a surface free of buttons, zippers or other non-fabric elements or it may not fully adhere and can damage the heat press. An example would be pressing a decal onto the back of a zipper sweater vs. the front. Some fabrics, such as 100% polyester or other poly-blends can work but can have some issues with colour change when exposed to high temperatures. Fabrics such as rayon that have a low melting temperature are not recommended. 

    The Stanley A. Milner Library has a Hotronix Auto Clam heat press with an 11"x15" platen. The heat press temperature range is 205-420 degrees Fahrenheit (Celsius is available).

  • Vinyl Cutting

    Weeding is the process of picking out all of the negative space once the vinyl has been cut. This can be time consuming if you have a lot of negative space. For example, choose a ladybug with 6 dots, not 100 so you only have to pull out the 6 dots. We will provide training on weeding at your first appointment. 

    A decal is a word we use for something that is like a sticker, but due to the design constraints of the vinyl cutter is not just a photo with a sticky back. Decals are often one or two colours, and simple in design.  

    Any picture file will work. This includes JPEGs, PNGs as well as SVGs. If you have an illustrator file, you will find most success exporting it as a PNG. What is most important is having a good quality image that meets the design requirements for a vinyl cut. If the image is small or blurry it will result in a rough edge which is difficult to cut and weed. 

  • Laser Cutter

    We are currently not accepting file submissions outside of participants attending the class scheduled times.  

    Any picture file will work. This includes JPEGs, PNGs as well as SVGs.  What is most important is having a good quality image that meets the design requirements for a laser engraving or a cleaned up vector file that meets the criteria to be recognized by the laser cutter for cutting out a shape. 

    We are currently not accepting file submissions outside of participants attending the class scheduled times.  

    We are currently not accepting non-EPL provided materials. 

    Yes, this process is called raster engraving. Photographs will require processing and alteration in software such as Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop to transform into an image that will engrave well.   

    Yes. The required laser cutter certification training will cover how the process and job setup works at EPL as well as specific safety considerations. 

    Ready to Make is a safety check-in performed prior to each class or booking. Ready to Make means you are able to safely perform a task or activity or use a piece of equipment. It means being free from alcohol, drugs, controlled substances, and any medications that may impact your ability to safely participate in EPL classes, events, or activities in the specified spaces. You should be well-rested, healthy, and present in order to ensure you are fully able to focus on the task at hand. 

    EPL’s laser cutter is very safe to use. EPL employs a number of safeguards to ensure safety:  

    • The laser cutter includes a shielded safety glass top that is interlocked, interrupting laser operation immediately when lifted.  
    • The laser cutter is connected to an interlocked 3-stage air filtration system in addition to being operated under a fume hood.  

    EPL’s laser cutting service is primarily intended for learning and hobbyist applications, and is provided in a non-commercial capacity. EPL welcomes and encourages entrepreneurs who are just getting started to learn about and make use of EPL’s service for testing and prototyping. Volume production for ongoing customer fulfillment is beyond the scope of EPL’s service. 

  • Sewing

    Check with your local branch for information about which machine(s) they have.

    Brother CS6000i

    This versatile sewing machine is user-friendly for beginners with lots of features for more advanced sewers as well. Beginners will appreciate the automatic needle threader, easy bobbin-winding, and digital stitch and speed selection for getting started. The free arm, over-sized table, quilting foot and guide and 60 in-built stitches are great for anyone working on larger more advanced projects such as quilts. These are available at Abbottsfield – Penny McKee, Capilano, and Stanley A. Milner library.

    Husqvarna Viking E20

    For those who may prefer the more classic approach to sewing, this mechanical sewing machine offers beginners a simple and straightforward way to get familiar with machine sewing, without getting bogged down in too many digital options. Even though this machine is geared toward beginners it still features 32 different stitch options, 7 different presser feet including a quilting foot and free motion/darning foot, and twin needle sewing. These are available at the Stanley A. Milner library.

    Brother XM2701

    These sewing machines are perfect for beginners. Loaded with features, the XM2701 has 27 different built-in stitch options with 63 stitch functions. Designed for beginners, the XM2701 comes with a built-in easy needle threader, jam-resistant Quick-Set top drop-in bobbin, and an automatic bobbin winding system. These are available at our Abbottsfield – Penny McKee and Capilano branches.

    Brother 3534DT Serger

    The Brother 3534DT serger is perfect for finishing the edges of your fabric projects by creating an overlocking stitch. It can also optionally trim the fabric as you serge. Offering both a three- and four-thread configuration, the Brother serger uses a differential feed ratio of 0.7 - 2.0 for better stitch quality on a wide variety of fabrics. If you aren’t sure if your project needs a serger, ask a Makerspace staff! It is available at the Stanley A. Milner library.

    A serger is a type of sewing machine that has a more specific purpose than regular sewing machines. They use an overlock stitch that regular sewing machines can not create.

    Sergers are used for adding a professional finish to fabric edges. They can be used for creating small projects that don't require any sewing (such as a wash cloth) or finishing off more complex projects that were started with the sewing machine (such as a dress shirt). Use a serger to help you sew seams, trim off excess fabric, and finish raw fabric edges.

    Sewing machines help to speed up sewing projects and provide regular even stitches in a variety of different forms (Zig-Zag stitches, Straight Stitches, Decorative stitches). Using sewing machines to sew clothing can help to make the project more efficient and provide a cleaner finish on clothes, as well as other fabric made items.  

    Alterations: A sewing machine can help with clothing alterations, they are excellent for hemming pants, and taking in seams on clothing.  

    Mending: A sewing machine can help assist with mending items, adding patches to jeans, fixing holes on garments as well as other fabric items such as curtains, pillows, and bedspreads.  

  • 3D Printing

    • EPL provides Ultrafuse PLA plastic filament at 10 cents per gram (GST included). 
    • Current colours: Clear, Black, White, Red, Dark Blue, Silver and Magenta. 
    • PLA is a great prototyping material for beginners. Note that it is not recommended for applications requiring UV or water resistance and it is not food grade certified. 

    .STL and .OBJ file formats are preferred. 

    Prusa i3 MK3S(+) 3D Printer 

    Basic details: 

    • Build area: 250 mm wide x 210 mm deep x 210 mm tall. 
    • Resolution: 0.4 mm nozzle with 0.2-0.3 mm layer heights on typical medium to fast profiles. 
    • Heated print bed with automatic mesh bed levelling. 

  • Studio Lab

    This public space is intended for those who do not have access to commercial studio spaces, especially beginners, hobbyists, and early independent professionals. A good rule of thumb is that if you are charging someone else for your services in the space (i.e. for your work as a photographer), your project is not a good fit for the Studio Lab.  

    While we’re not interested in governing the content of your project, the Lab is still considered a public space. We ask that you do not include any powders, aerosols, glitter or realistic weapons in your props and that you remain clothed for the duration of your appointment.

    Absolutely! Make sure each is aware of the guidelines for using the space. 

    Water in a spillproof container is all right, but we ask that customers not bring food or beverages into this space. 

  • Bookbinding

    Register for one of our Notebook Classes! For a fee, you'll be able to make a custom notebook and get hands-on experience with the binding equipment. 

    Customers are welcome to use EPL’s book to print public domain and Creative Commons licensed works that permit format shifting (e.g., ebook to printed book) and distribution. To re-print or format shift a material that is in copyright, EPL requires written authorization communicated by the intellectual property holder to EPL directly. 

    No, staff cannot bind your books for you. As with other Makerspace services, the objective is to empower customers to learn about and directly operate the bookbinding machines rather than duplicate services in the community. 

    It is $0.05 per page plus $1.00 for the cover and glue to bind your book. For example, a 150-page book would cost $8.50. 

    As the service launches, books are limited to: 

    • Softcover using the Perfect Bind (glue) method 
    • Cream internal pages printed in Black & White; Full Color covers 
    • Minimum 50 pages, Maximum 700 pages 
    • 5.5” x 8.5” (statement size) paperbacks  

    If you are looking to make books with a custom size, a larger size, or a hardcover, please ask about our list of local and online alternatives. 

    No, currently we are limited to printing the book blocks (pages inside your book) in black and white only. Images must be 300 dpi.  

    Bookbinding at EPL is great for prototyping and small production (less than 5 books in a session). If you are looking to print and bind on a larger scale, ask about our list of local and online alternatives. 

    We are currently not accepting file submissions outside of participants attending the scheduled Bookbinding Files and/or Bookbinding Covers Workshop. 

    No, EPL’s service isn’t ideal for photobooks because we do not have specialty paper and we use a laser printer. The quality of the images will be negatively affected by these factors. If you are looking to make a photobook, check out our list of local and online alternatives. 

    Our new equipment includes: 

    • a creaser to crease your cover 
    • a perfect binder to glue your book block to your cover 
    • a guillotine for trimming your book to its finished size 

    Please note that this equipment is for the bookbinding service only. 

    EPL does not fix book spines. We recommend going to a service that specializes in fixing broken spines or remaking hardcovers. 

    No, in the past we did have a service, the Espresso Book Machine, but in early 2019 it was decommissioned permanently.  

  • Bookbinding

    Register for one of our Notebook Classes! For a fee, you'll be able to make a custom notebook and get hands-on experience with the binding equipment. 

  • Makerspace Renovations

    The temporary Makerspace at the Stanley A. Milner Library will be open during regular branch hours, opens a new window.  

    Yes, the Makerspace will continue to offer Creative iMac Computers, 3D Printing, Vinyl Cutting, and the Heat Press. These services will be available on the west side of the second floor at the Stanley A. Milner Library by the Movies, Music, and Games section. Select Makerspace services are also accessible at other EPL locations, opens a new window.

    No, the hours will remain the same as branch operating hours.  

    The Makerspace will close on Monday, Feb. 24, for renovations. Construction is expected to take up to five weeks. An opening date will be announced at a later date.  

    The renovation of the Makerspace includes installing new flooring, adding ceiling acoustic treatment, and completing minor electrical updates. The updated space will feature a new video gaming area with eight single-seat video gaming PC stations and two multiplayer video gaming console stations.  

    The Makerspace at the Stanley A. Milner Library will be closed due to renovations to enhance the space and introduce video gaming services. There will be improvements to the flooring, lighting, and acoustic treatment. The renovations will take approximately five weeks to complete and will begin Monday, Feb. 24.

  • Video Games

    Gamers will be able to book in two hour time slots for the PCs, Consoles, and Arcade Cabinets. To book, visit the Makerspace or phone 780-944-0856.

    Anyone! Gamers of all ages and backgrounds are more than welcome to join in on the fun. Some games will be self-serve and require no library card, like the arcade cabinets. Others will be self-serve and require a library card, like the PC gaming stations. Console stations are available for all, but you will need to show your library card to staff in the space to have access to a controller.

    Book a timeslot in the Makerspace by calling us at 780.944.0856 or stop by and visit the Makerspace on the second floor of the Stanley A. Milner Library.

    Game selection will be ever-evolving depending on the platform:

    • PCs will have access to Steam Café, EPIC Games, League of Legends, Fortnite and Roblox, to name a few. Customers will be able to login to their personal, online accounts for some titles. New titles will be continually added.
    • Console stations will have curated titles from multiple genres, including the latest family, sports and adventure titles.

    Games with the Mature (M) rating are not allowed on the consoles or PCs within this space

    The Xbox Adaptive Controller is a versatile hub, connecting external devices like toggles, buttons, switches and triggers to create a personalized gaming experience. 

    Our staff is ready to help you connect and configure the controller, ensuring that gaming is accessible to all at Stanley A. Milner Library.

    While walk-ins are welcome, for optimal assistance and availability, we recommend calling ahead. 

    The controller is available for booking at the Makerspace and the Shelly Milner Children's Library. We recommend calling ahead to confirm availability. 

    No, support for the controller is limited to the Gamerspace PCs and Xbox.

    Yes! You can link the adaptive controller with a second controller to expand your button options or play with a copilot.

    No, it can only be used at the Stanley A. Milner Library.

  • Children's Makerspace

    The Children’s Makerspace has materials and activities that will appeal primarily to children ages six to 12, though younger and older kids (and kids at heart) are also welcome!

    It depends! If you use only the consumable material such as cardboard, brass fasteners and other things clearly marked, then you can take your creation home.

    If you’re using our robots, Lego or other reusable materials, then you can either put it on display or take a picture and, if you want, let us feature it on our digital display.

    Find more information about tour options and how to book a tour on our library tours page. Fill out the form, and a librarian will be in touch to schedule your tour.

    There's also plenty for your group to do if you just stop by, though, so feel welcome to come at any time.

    Yes! Our Play Support Volunteer position also takes place in the Children’s Makerspace. Learn more and apply at epl.ca/volunteer/play-space-support.