When New Lenox resident Ron Romero wanted to create a video for a fundraising event, he went to the library.
He wasn’t looking for a book on making videos, but rather the tools he needed make his project happen.
“It’s easy,” he said at the digital media lab at the New Lenox Public Library. “It’s easy to get to, nice and quiet, and everything is right here.”
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The library, 120 Veterans Parkway, offers a number of hardware and software tools, including computers, cameras and printers. Romero, owner of Stage Right Productions, was using an Apple iMac computer outfitted with Adobe Audition and Premier Pro Video Editing software to create a final in mpg or DVD formats, he said.
Jeff Hamilton, also of New Lenox, uses the lab to upload his personal CDs onto his iPod, he said.
The New Lenox library lab has two Apple iMac computers, a Cannon Rebel DSLR camera with several lenses, a Canon Vixia Digital HD Camcorder, a Wacom Intuos Pro Drawing Tablet, a recording industry-quality Yeti Microphone and an Epson photo-quality scanner, according to the library’s website, newlenoxlibrary.org. There is a photo studio backdrop with white, black and green backgrounds. It also has equipment allowing patrons to convert vinyl record albums and cassette tapes to MP3 files, and VHS tapes to DVDs.
“Our (digital media lab) is not strictly digital,” according to a library brochure. “We also have equipment for paper and vinyl cutting, sewing, knitting and crocheting, button making, and 3D drawing.”
The Sihouette Cameo Electronic Cutting Tool can print on paper, vinyl, heat transfers, such as to be put on tee shirts, Digital Services Assistant Ashley Middleton said in a demonstration video on the library’s website. Middleton also teaches classes at the library on how to use the lab.
There is no charge to use the lab but there are costs for printing. Items such as DVDs, CDs, ear buds and flash drives also are available for sale.
The Homewood Public Library, 17917 Dixie Hwy., has as similar studio, called The Makery.
“The Makery is a creative technology studio with software and equipment that will allow you to create high-quality projects in many different media,” according to its website, homewoodlibrary.org.
The studio includes two Apple iMac computers with iLife and Adobe Creative Suite software and Blender 3D, which is used for three-dimensional modeling and animation. It has other software, including Final Cut Pro X for video editing and Keka, open source software to create and open archive files like .zip, .rar, .gz, and .tar.
The Makery also includes a color image scanner that will scan negatives and slides, and a large formate printer that prints up to 24-inches wide. There are two Canon Rebel cameras and a soft box lighting kit. There are also green blue screen backdrops, a Canopus converter, and a VHS to DVD recorder.
There are numerous audio hardware components, including an M-Audio Oxygen 61 Midi Keyboard, and a heavy duty sustain pedal, as well as two Yeti microphones with studio headphones and pop filter.
In both libraries, the labs are available to cardholders in good standing, and children must be supervised by an adult. Reservations are encouraged, but walk-ins are allowed to use the equipment if it is available. The Makery requires a $500 deposit
The Matteson Area Public Library, 801 S. School Ave., offers a Cubify 3D printer in the Youth Services Department, said Andy Murgas, computer services manager. Most standard-sized prints cost $4, with costs adjusting up or down according to the size of the project, he said.
The printer uses Google Sketchup, which is available free online. Users can use the software at home then bring their project to the library to print, he said. The library also offers an introduction class, as well as more advanced sketching and design classes his said. For class schedules, call 708-748-4431.
Erin Gallagher is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.