WATCH: Librarian's legacy lives on through community workshop

Thursday 12 August 2021

The Guille-Alles Library is making a 3D printer, music production software and a range of other cutting-edge technology available to the community through a new workshop. It is dedicated to the "dearly missed" Deputy Chief Librarian Jodie Knight, who died from cancer last year at the age of 44.

The Jodie Knight Fab Lab is home to 13 digital fabrication machines including a 3D printer, A1 printer and graphic design software, empowering people to make things using technology they would not generally have access to at home.

"It's a small-scale workshop for the community to access," said Catherine Stuart, the Head of Learning & Development at the Guille Alles Library. 

"The ethos behind this is to offer a community operated workspace where people can collaborate, socialise and share knowledge together."

The Fab Lab is dedicated to the memory of Jodie, the former Deputy Chief Librarian and Chief Librarian Designate, who passed away last year.

Watch: A look inside the new Jodie Knight Fab Lab. 

The Fab Lab had long been "a dream" that she wanted to drive through. Donations in Jodie's name have gone into the development of the exciting new space, in line with her wishes. 

Her former colleagues say Jodie is "dearly missed".

"We are all proud to have known her, and we feel sure that she too would be proud of this new chapter in the library story."

The new facility has been completed with the support of the Guernsey Community Foundation.

"It's also about supporting the community in lifelong learning and creativity, which have always been two of the library's key objective's," said Adam Bayfield, the Head of Marketing for the Guille-Alles Library. 

How to use the Fab Lab

To use the Fab Lab you must a) be at least 11 years old, b) be a Library member, and c) have a 10-minute Fab Lab induction on your first visit.

The Fab Lab is open during normal Library opening hours, though it may depend on staff availability. People are asked to check beforehand using the library's booking system.

Pictured: The Fab Lab has been designed to empower people to make things using technology they do not have access to at home. It is also a place for collaboration and learning. 

Once you've had your induction, users should then read the Fab Lab Induction Document, while there are a number of handy user guides and reading material to help teach people how to use the different technology. 

Use of the Fab Lab is free, but there is a charge for consumables such as T-shirts, mugs, bags and vinyl.