If saving money and making personal gifts is on your radar this holiday season, the MakerSpace inside the Downtown Amarillo Public Library should be your first stop.

The MakerSpace is exactly what it sounds like—a space where library cardholders can come and make things.  Anyone with a Harrington Library Consortium library card can take advantage of sewing and quilting machines, tools for metal working, jewelry making, leather work, paper crafting, and fine arts.

The MakerSpace charges a nominal fee for supplies such as 3D-printer filament, but many projects can be completed at no cost because the library only charges for supplies which have been purchased and will need to be replenished.  Thanks to generous community donations, the MakerSpace has a good supply of fabric, yarn, sewing notions, and general craft supplies available to makers.

For the safety of patrons and the MakerSpace, users must be checked out by staff on some equipment such as the Moxie long-arm quilting machine, and there are age restrictions for small children.

Makers should call to schedule an appointment to use popular equipment—particularly the long-arm quilting machine—but the public is also welcome to stop by to request a tour and see what the MakerSpace has to offer.

The MakerSpace is open every day from one half-hour after the library opens to one half-hour before the library closes—creating this schedule:

• Monday through Thursday:  9:30 AM to 7 PM
• Friday and Saturday:  9:30 AM to 5:30 PM
• Sunday:  2:30 to 5:30 PM

For more information, call the MakerSpace at 806-378-3094.