Third Annual NJ Makers Day Celebrated at Bernardsville Library

Join us at Bernardsville Public Library on Saturday, March 25 from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm to participate in the third annual New Jersey Makers Day. On this day, communities around the state offer hands-on programming opportunities, demonstrations and displays celebrating the maker culture. There is no charge to attend, and no sign-up is needed except for two free workshops in the afternoon. Drop in and enjoy the fun with light refreshments provided by the Friends of the Bernardsville Library.

There will be many activities and displays–both techie and craft–for all age groups at Bernardsville Library. Those planned include printmaking with artist Lisa Madson; woodworking with Richard E. McKeeby; “Make and Take Cupcakes” with Tammy Lee; 3D pens and a button maker; drawing with a Finch Robot; a robotics demonstration by the Bernards High School Robotics Team; and NANO Bots demonstrated by STEAM Works Studio. Saturday Crafters will also be meeting in the afternoon at 3:00 pm.

Two workshops are scheduled in the afternoon. Children ages seven and up can learn to "sculpt balloons" at 1:00 pm. Adults and teens can create book origami, a book with a heart inside, at 2:30 pm. Space is limited for both workshops and advance sign-up is required.

In connection with Makers Day, the library is also holding its third Altered Book contest. An altered book is any book that has been made into an art object. A simple Google search for altered books will reveal a huge range of possibilities. Stop by the library to pick up a book to alter and bring it back before 5:00 pm on March 17 to enter. Or, use your own book if you prefer. The winner in each age category (adults 18+, teens 12-17, and kids under 11 with a parent’s help) will receive a gift card. Winners will be announced on March 25 and all entries will be on display on Makers Day.

The maker movement in the United States isn’t just a hobby; it’s having a significant impact on school curriculum development and growing local economies. NJ Makers Day is designed to be a statewide event that celebrates, promotes, and in many cases may introduce maker culture, as well as the values associated with making, tinkering and STEM-based learning. In 2016, NJ Makers Day drew over 40,000 individual attendees to more than 230 participating sites across all 21 counties in the state. Participating locations included public and academic libraries, schools, museums, commercial makerspaces, and AC Moore stores, as well as sponsorship from such organizations as LibraryLinkNJ, littleBits Electronics, and ManufactureNJ.

For more information on activities at Bernardsville Library, call 908-766-0118 or visit the library webpage, http://www.bernardsvillelibrary.org/nj-makers-day-2017.