News from Mississippi Mills Public Library – Week of March 13, 2025

Makerspace grand opening, demos and instruction

Celebrate the opening of Mississippi Mills Public Library’s (MMPL) Makerspace!

We are excited to invite you to the grand opening of the Makerspace at the Pakenham Branch (128 MacFarlane Street). A Makerspace is a creative lab where you can explore new technologies, tools and equipment to bring your own ideas to life.

Our Makerspace is equipped with an xTool laser engraver/cutter, a heat press, a Cricut Maker 3 cutting machine and a button maker. The space is open to all residents with a valid library card. Training sessions, workshops, and open time, when you can work on your own projects, are all offered at the MMPL Makerspace. (A first, mandatory, training is required to use the Makerspace for your own projects.)

Grand opening event details:
• Date: April 2
• Time: 4-7 pm (drop in anytime)
• Location: Pakenham Branch, 128 MacFarlane Street

Learn all about the Makerspace, enjoy some refreshments, watch exciting demonstrations of the equipment, and get inspired to start creating. And don’t worry—this is not an April Fools’ Day joke! We hope to see you here.

This space would not have been possible without the generous financial support of local residents, Maureen and David Dern, as well as the expertise and encouragement of Paddye Mann Clothing and dedicated members of the Pakenham community. Thank you!

Makerspace training registration open for March and April. Ready to bring your ideas to life? The Makerspace at Pakenham Branch (128 MacFarlane Street) is a creative lab where you can explore cutting-edge technology, tools, and equipment to create your own projects. (A training session is mandatory before you begin booking time to work on your own projects.)

Available equipment:
•  xTool laser engraver/cutter
•  Heat press
•  Cricut Maker 3 cutting machine
•  Button maker

Eligibility:
• Adults and users aged 13-17 can use the Makerspace.
• Users aged 13-17 must have parent/guardian consent.
• Youth under 13 must be accompanied by an adult, who has completed MMPL mandatory training.

How to get started:
1. Verify your library account is active.
2. Book a one-on-one training session and sign the user agreement form.

Materials are available for a small fee, and spaces are filling up fast.

Book a training session here: https://form.jotform.com/250356428941258

April Travelogue and other good news!

April Travelogue – El Camino de Costa Rica, with Georgina Wigley and Don Johnston
Wednesday, April 9, 7 pm. Registration in advance: https://form.jotform.com/250654961278264

The Camino de Costa Rica winds its way from the Caribbean to the Pacific coast of this beautiful country. The 16-day hike starts in the mangrove forest at the sea’s edge then crosses plantations before climbing over two mountain ranges to reach the western shore. The route provides hikers with the opportunity to have real contact with the people of the communities, taste local foods, interact with indigenous communities and explore the different ecosystems of southern Costa Rica.

Interested in ChatGPT and AI? Drop-in for an online Zoom workshop, at either branch, Wednesday, March 19, at 1 pm.

Interested folks also have the option to sign-in from home to participate in this workshop – all information and the Zoom meeting link is here.

Thanks to Connected Canadians, the Local Immigration Partnership Lanark & Renfrew, and their sponsors for this workshop.

An evening with author Nita Prose
Tuesday, May 13 at 6:30 pm – Almonte Branch

Join us for an evening of conversation with Nita Prose to celebrate the launch of The Maid’s Secret. Books are for sale at the event, which is co-hosted by Mill Street Books, Almonte. 

This is a FREE event, but registration is required: https://form.jotform.com/250653564609260

Sunday, March 16, 2 pm, at the Almonte Legion, 2nd floor (accessible), the Mississippi Mills Film Society is screening Tuesday. Tickets are $15 and available online in advance at TicketsPlease.

Revenues from film society events go to support the Mississippi Mills Public Library – thank you!