IdeaSpace, a Makerspace Unlike Any Other

EveryLibrary would like to thank the Central Rappahannock Regional Library System’s (CRRL) Chuck Gray, IdeaSpace manager, and Simon Watts, MakerLab specialist, for participating in an email-based interview in February 2025.

Makerspaces are collaborative workspaces that facilitate community engagement, education, and creative innovation. Makerspaces are a byproduct of the Maker Movement, which began in the 1990s. The movement rapidly gained momentum in the early 2000s, aided by the emergence of creator web platforms like Etsy and Kickstarter. Maker culture was growing in popularity at this time, which also triggered an uptick in makerspace establishments. You can find makerspaces in educational institutions like libraries, schools, colleges, and universities.

IdeaSpace is a makerspace owned and operated by the Central Rappahannock Regional Library System (CRRL) in historic Fredericksburg, Virginia. Much like other makerspaces, IdeaSpace provides opportunities for customers to explore their creative potential in ways they may not otherwise be able to achieve due to socioeconomic barriers.

Library programs garner participation from many children, families, and senior citizens. Although makerspaces are usually open to all adults, makerspaces have the potential to draw in another more specific adult demographic: those twenty- to forty-somethings who do not have children and have not yet entered their golden years. Makerspaces are known to enhance learning and skill development for the customers who use them and promote community engagement for all persons—including marginalized populations.

Simon Watts, MakerLab specialist, first conceptualized IdeaSpace in 2018 after attending a local poetry night in the city. He envisioned a vibrant community workspace that would welcome a range of social demographics and support makers in their creative endeavors. This would be bigger than a traditional MakerLab, which is typically relegated to a room within a larger building. This space would exist in its own building, separate from the primary library building, allowing more space for community-based collaboration. The library administration approved of the idea.

Watts explains, “IdeaSpace as a concept was always something that I’d wanted to do. I had been working as a clerk for CRRL for a number of years, while also attending City meetings as a private citizen for a proposed Maker District along the Princess Anne Corridor. The City of Fredericksburg was looking for anchor projects to help with revitalization efforts.” It was the perfect time to start working toward making IdeaSpace a reality.

Funding for IdeaSpace was achieved through several grants and private donations. The grants received included a Cable Commission grant for AV equipment, a Fredericksburg Economic Development Authority grant for three years of rent, and a McDuff Foundation grant.

Sign the pledge to vote for libraries!

Facing Unexpected Challenges

Preparing for an April 16, 2020, launch date took two years of planning, but then IdeaSpace faced a significant unforeseen challenge. No one foresaw the COVID-19 global lockdown, which delayed IdeaSpace’s opening until December 2020. At that time, local hospitals and medical personnel were running low on personal protective equipment (PPE); a solution was needed.

Watts recounts, “I was instructed to take a pair of 3D printers home and see what was doable. Ear guards and face shields were the first pieces we manufactured, and it was decided that CRRL would be mass-producing PPE to support local medical services.” He continues, “To facilitate this, we moved CRRL’s fleet of 12+ 3D printers to IdeaSpace [from CRRL’s MakerLabs], and began manufacturing as much PPE as we could manage. On December 17, 2020 we finally opened our doors to the public. Shortly after, IdeaSpace was recognized for the production of PPE with the 2020 Medallion Award from Mary Washington Healthcare, by the MWHC Innovation Council, and the Virginia Economic Developers Association, having produced 475 ear guards, 620 face shields, 158 face masks, and 220 stethoscopes.”

Makerspaces have proven time and time again to be assets in communities when disaster strikes, such as printing lifesaving medical equipment and PPE. According to the World Economic Forum, “An estimated 48.3 million items of PPE were produced by makers globally, with a net worth of $271 million.”

Take action today to support libraries!

Equipment and Programs

Anyone can access the space, and a CRRL library card is not required. According to Chuck Gray, IdeaSpace manager, “[Customers] are dedicated to the work they can do here and will often collaborate with one other, or just hang out while they are working on their own projects. Like the library’s branches, it is one of the few sorts of places in the community where people can visit, learn, grow, connect, have fun, and not have to spend a dime. The equipment and expertise we provide is highly specialized and I can’t think of anywhere else in the community that does what we do at no charge to the customer.”

Customers must complete a training session to earn a badge to use the equipment. These sessions last less than an hour. No library card is required to earn a badge. The badge allows customers to use IdeaSpace’s equipment independently during business hours. Customers can earn up to nine badges:

• 3D Printer
• 3D Scanner
• AV Booth
• Drawing Tablet
• Embroidery Machine
• Glowforge Last Cutter
• Serger
• Sewing Machine
• Video Conversion Station

Makers who earn all nine badges will receive a 3D-printed Pepper the Robot! 

IdeaSpace, like most makerspaces, hosts several programs throughout the month that cover interesting topics like comic creation, songwriting, cosplay, fashion design, and more. IdeaSpace features a Tech on the Go program, allowing customers the freedom to borrow equipment. Customers are required to provide a local ID to participate in the Tech on the Go program. Watts itemizes some of the equipment available for checkout, “360-degree cameras, GoPros, drawing tablets, audio recorders, and my favorite, a DJ turntable kit.” [Here is a complete list of equipment available for checkout, as well as more information on equipment reservations.]

Sign the petition to show that Americans love their libraries!

Future Goals

CRRL’s Fredericksburg, Howell, Porter, and Salem Church branches had MakerLabs until their closure in 2020. Gray says, “We offered MakerLab badging on the 3D printer, sewing machine, drawing tablet, and 3D scanner. In addition, we offered popup STEM activities, primarily for kids.” Gray confirms, “There’s talk of bringing them back specifically for MakerLab badging appointments and equipment reservations.”

As is the story for many libraries, budget restrictions limit IdeaSpace’s hours of operation (i.e., Monday through Thursday, and Saturday). Gray is confident that the public would welcome more operating hours. He hopes that, in the future, IdeaSpace will also be open on Fridays. IdeaSpace’s use has grown since its opening, attracting customers from other communities to engage with the equipment. Commuting customers are interested in having a similar space closer to home. For this reason, the CRRL’s strategic plan is to one day open an IdeaSpace in another locality.

Final Thoughts

When asked, “What makes IdeaSpace stand out compared to other Makerspaces?” Watts replies, “Most library Maker and digital media labs are in separate rooms, for reasons of soundproofing and mitigating crafting debris, however, this can prevent customers of different disciplines from interacting. We have a large community table where diverse types of creatives end up gathering and sharing ideas and projects. IdeaSpace’s size works in its favor, as the small building encourages customers to interact with one another rather than work in the isolation so common in the digital age. There seems to be a mutual respect between the customers, and an understood mentality of ‘We’re all working and learning together.’

From a leadership perspective, I’m constantly aware of keeping our culture and attitude positive. It sounds simple, but it’s the kind of thing that can slip very quickly with a small team. I think this is helped by our relaxed attitude towards learning compared to most educational experiences. IdeaSpace is small enough we can get to know our customers, and badging is designed to get the customer moving quickly and to respect their time.”

Gray has this advice for other libraries interested in modeling their makerspaces after IdeaSpace: “We feel IdeaSpace is successful because of the culture we’ve created surrounding imagination and creativity. Focus on the services your makerspace will provide when it comes time to hire. Try to find skilled creatives, particularly ones with ties to the community who can help spread the word about what you do. Look for artists, musicians, clothing designers, engineers. Make the customer experience a sense of wonder when they enter your space and they’ll go out and promote for you. Remember — people need their third spaces, somewhere between work and home, to relax and thrive. Your Makerspace can be that place for them.”

Chuck Gray, IdeaSpace manager, has worked for the CRRL for 19 years, first as a librarian at the Fredericksburg Branch [formerly known as the Headquarters Branch], then as the manager of Snow Branch, and then as the manager of IdeaSpace.

Simon Watts works as the IdeaSpace MakerLab specialist. He worked at several CRRL branches as a clerk for several years prior to working in IdeaSpace.

For additional media inquiries about IdeaSpace, please reach out to Sean Bonney, director of Communication Engagement, at [email protected]