Fairview Park Library unveils new innovation center

The Cuyahoga County Public Library’s Fairview Park Branch is located at 21255 Lorain Road. (John Benson/cleveland.com)

FAIRVIEW PARK, Ohio -- The Cuyahoga County Public Library continues to provide its customers with cutting-edge technology.

Its latest trend of offering innovation centers provides public access to everything from 3D printing and design software to laser engraving and embroidery.

“Most places would call an innovation center a makerspace, which is technically what it is,” Cuyahoga County Public Library Literacy and Learning Director Rebecca Ranallo said.

“We teach classes. We offer access to equipment that you might not find somewhere else or find for free, which is really kind of the big deal at the library,” she said.

“You’re going to get access to Adobe software or a bunch of higher-tech equipment and some help in using it for free in your community.”

Next up for the library district is opening its sixth innovation center, with a free event celebrating the new amenity scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday (Aug. 3) at the Fairview Park branch, 21255 Lorain Road.

The staff will demonstrate how to use the innovation center equipment to create designs, embroidered apparel and more.

“An embroidery machine, sublimation printing, 3D printer and laser engraver are what we see as the most utilized in our other innovation center spaces by the community, but also small businesses,” Ranallo said.

“We also have a UV printer. That’s our new element (in Fairview Park) to print those vibrant colors on paper or anything else. It’s super cool.”

The library selected Fairview Park for the $50,000 upgrade based on its West Side location, as well as available space in the Lorain Road building.

“It’s on the second floor of the front of the branch in a nice corner,” Ranallo said.

“That’s where we prefer to place those, in sight of the reference desk so our staff can see if someone needs assistance.”

While there’s no charge to use the Cuyahoga County Public Library innovation center equipment, users are responsible for the costs of consumable materials (e.g., 3D printing filament, vinyl material).

Limited supplies of consumable materials are available for purchase. Visitors may also bring their own pre-approved materials for their projects.

“It really fits perfectly with our mission to help people discover something new and maybe discover a skill they don’t have,” she said.

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