More ambitiously, libraries have also begun offering "makerspaces" — shared workspaces that provide technological tools and are designed to facilitate collaborative work. I recently toured the makerspace at Washington, D.C.’s flagship Martin Luther King Jr. library. An eclectic group of hobbyists, entrepreneurs, and a mom with her homeschooled preteens were learning about tools like 3-D printers, laser cutters, and wire benders.

About 100 Tech students, faculty and staff recently gathered at the union to brainstorm that transformation and help design Michigan Tech’s first "makerspace" — a lab, workshop and hangout where anyone in the university community will be able to go to turn their ideas into prototype realities.

Makerspaces, hackerspaces, and fab labs are popping up left and right both in and out of New York. They’re a part of the growing maker movement, which encourages people to invent and create.

:: MAKER SPACE AVAILABLE! ::

Richmond Mills is a 250,000 sq ft. building serving the creative economy with inexpensive studio and work space. Currently 60+ tenants — painters, sculptors, woodworkers, jewelry makers, animators, architects, designers and more.