The Barrie Public Library is expanding its creative equipment offerings this month, with new tools arriving at both the Downtown and Painswick locations to support local makers. Starting May 12, 2026, residents can access a new professional embroidery machine at the Downtown Branch on Worsley Street, as well as a dedicated makerspace at the Painswick Branch on Dean Avenue featuring 3D printing, hat press, and mug press tools.
The addition of the professional embroidery machine marks the fulfillment of a long-standing request from library patrons. The purchase was funded entirely by the $4,200 raised during the 2025 Spring Book Sale, an event that drew hundreds of community members. Katelyn Lees, the library’s philanthropy and resource development specialist, described the arrival of the machine as a full circle moment, noting that the strong support from the community during past book sales has allowed the library to reinvest directly into these creative tools.
The new Painswick makerspace will be located at the far end of the building, past the computer and study rooms. While most equipment in these spaces is free for public use, some tools like the Ultimaker 3D printer and the Glowforge laser cutter require a nominal fee, and material costs apply for items such as sublimation mugs, tumblers, and vinyl sheets.
To help residents get comfortable with the new equipment, the library is offering free Creative Spaces 101 demo sessions throughout May. These sessions allow participants to watch the tools in action, take notes, and ask questions. The library continues to rely on volunteers, such as leads Winnie and Samantha Coladipietro, to organize events like the upcoming annual Big Spring Book Sale, which will take place in May 2026 to help fund future equipment expansions.
