[possiblydrunk]

>The picture is from the library's electronics room which has cool gear such as laser cutter, 3D printer, and much more.

Amazing! I've never seen anything comparable in a U.S. library. What a wonderful resource. How do they maintain it?

[jn5]

I haven't seen anything like it in Europe either. Helsinki's library is incredible. It's also architecturally one of the most prominent buildings and right next to the parliament. It doesn't have a lot of books, though (100k)

https://www.oodihelsinki.fi/en/services/

[shitloadofbooks]

This is also a thing in Australian Libraries (especially those in capital cities).

You can book the machines/stations out for periods of time, using your library card/account.

You have to do a safety induction to be able to book the more dangerous tools.

They also sell materials, or you can BYO.

[peblos]

I've never seen these, do you know of any in Sydney? A quick Google turns up some 3d printing services in other towns/cities but nothing like this

[pfych]

Darling Square has "The Exchange"[1] which has Solder stations, 3D printers and a laser cutter but I'm unsure how to book time with them. Might be worth giving the library a call.

[1]: https://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/talks-courses-workshops/...

[peblos]

Somehow missed this reply, but thank you!

[nl]

eg: https://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/library-information-serv...

[Maxion]

> Amazing! I've never seen anything comparable in a U.S. library. What a wonderful resource. How do they maintain it?

Taxes. I think one big benefit of the Finnish multi-party system is you have less political bickering and more actual doing. Perhaps it leads to more efficient use of tax revenue.

Either case, we have this library (and many more not as fancy).

[sircastor]

In live just outside of Portland, OR and we have a makerspace in our local library. It’s not hugely decked out, but it just opened so it’s a work in progress.

[googlryas]

Check out BLDG 61, part of the Boulder Public Library, if you ever find yourself in the area: https://boulderlibrary.org/bldg61/

[schwartzworld]

I live in MA and we have this. Our library has a whole maker space including a 3d printer where you just pay for the filament

[andyreagan]

what town in MA are you? I'm in Shutesbury, and we're building a new library in the coming years. would be great to do this, and have an example to base from.