Your Makerspace

Capital Makers is the Carson City Library’s makerspace. By offering makers this space with equipment, tools, and partnerships, the Library serves as an innovation center for our community and provides open access to information and various technologies to enhance professional, personal, and educational goals.

A Premier card is no longer required to access Capital Makers; however, participants must still read and sign the Capital Makers liability waiver and the Capital Makers Rules and Regulations forms.   These documents only need to be signed once, unless revisions need to be made. Participants must also become certified on each piece of equipment they would like to use (see the certification tab for more information).

Patrons must be at least 14 years old to be certified on Makerspace equipment. Patrons 13 and under are welcome but must be accompanied by an adult, certified on the equipment.

The Carson City Library was awarded a federal Library Services and Technology Act state grant through Nevada by the Nevada State Library, Archives and Public Records. With this funding, the Library can offer the community a learning space that inspires creativity, promotes skill-building, and provides opportunities.

Jake Bells shows Bionics interns how to use the Carvey maching

How to use Capital Makers

You must be certified on equipment before use. Certification is a two-step process outlined below.

STEP 1: Niche Academy
  • Go to Niche Academy and select the equipment training module you would like to complete.
  • Complete the online training module with a score of 80% or higher. Training courses may be retaken until a passing score is obtained.
  • Certain machines require a prerequisite. Please see the Equipment tab to learn more.
STEP 2: In-Person Certification Appointment
  • After completing your online training, use our Makerspace Appointment Request Form to request an in-person certification appointment.
  • Appointment requests must be submitted at least two weeks in advance.
  • Participants will have up to 45 minutes to complete the in-person certification.
  • If a participant has not arrived within 15 minutes of the scheduled appointment time, the appointment will be canceled.
  • Participants have three attempts to complete the in-person certification on a single piece of equipment. If they do not pass after three attempts, they must wait one month before scheduling another certification appointment for that equipment.
  • For assistance, email hwilson@carsoncity.gov.
  • Individuals must be recertified every three years.

Offer A Program

The Makerspace relies on community support to implement free, drop-in crafting workshops, hands-on projects, skill-sharing sessions, topic series seminars with a Makers-In Residence, as well as Maker Faire events to showcase programs and products. Please contact us if you are interested in providing programming on makerspace topics:

  • Electronics
  • Robotics
  • Textile design
  • Soldering
  • Sewing
  • Multimedia arts, digital production,and design
  • Digital fabrication (CAD, machining, laser cutting, and 3D printing)
  • Other crafting

Donate Materials or Money

Have materials you want to donate? Please let us know! All monetary donations are taken through the Friends of the Carson City Library. Please visit their website to find out more about donating!