ACPL’s Studio at Main Celebrates One-Year Anniversary with New STEM Kits and Increased Community Impact

The Allen County Public Library (ACPL) is celebrating the one-year anniversary of the opening of The Studio at Main, marking a year of creativity, exploration, and hands-on learning for the community. Since opening, Studio patrons have enjoyed more than 23,000 visitors, with free access to tools, technology, and experiences that empower patrons to learn new skills and bring ideas to life. 

Located at the Main Library, The Studio at Main is open approximately 200 hours each month and offers access to 15 types of creative equipment, from digital media and content creation technologies to hands-on maker and DIY tools. Since January 2025, the Studio has hosted 88 programs with more than 595 attendees, covering 13 foundational skills and nine intermediate skill areas. 

The Main Library has offered similar services since 2015 as the Maker Lab along with a satellite location at the Georgetown Branch. In summer 2024, the library announced a systemwide rebrand and expansion of the Maker Labs under the name “The Studios at the Library”, debuting additional locations at the Pontiac, Shawnee, and Hessen Cassel branches. This expansion included a move for the Main Maker Lab to the former Dunkin’ Donuts space which expanded its footprint nearly three times. Georgetown also received equipment upgrades and standardized equipment to match the newest satellite locations. These projects were made possible through investment from library reserves, a City of Fort Wayne ARPA grant, and a Don Wood Foundation grant.

Since April 2024, the Library has regularly surveyed Studio visitors and reports the following impacts:  

• 80% of respondents created something new 

• 47% practiced a new skill 

• 98% experienced elements of connected learning, including personal interests, meaningful support, and pathways to continued learning 

• 96% planned to continue developing their skills independently, through classes, or by returning to the Studio 

According to Studio at Main Supervisor Charkiera Smith, when members of the community drop into the Studio, most aren't quite sure what to expect. She explains that Studio staff are given trainings on all the machines so they can help guide patrons through their experience, regardless of their goals: 

“Once they chat with one of our Studio Guides or try out a machine, it builds excitement, encourages exploration and experimentation, and fosters connections with other creators. Strangers become collaborators and these experiences are what makes the Studio such a special space for our community!”

As part of its one-year milestone, The Studio at Main is expanding its offerings with Studio STEM Kits, designed for self-directed, in-Studio exploration. These kits can be checked out during Open Studio Hours and focus on introductory, low-pressure learning experiences across science, technology, engineering, and math.

Throughout 2026, patrons can access kits focused on visual coding through small robots and

programmable mini arcades, geometry puzzles for spatial reasoning, magnetic blocks for

building 3D designs, creative drawing kits, and Braille building materials. New STEM Kits will be released incrementally, ensuring fresh opportunities for discovery throughout the year.

“The Studios at the Library have long been a hub for both digital and physical creation,” said Kerstin Glaess, Manager of the Studios at the Library. “Expanding our services to include STEM Kits during Open Studio Hours gives patrons free, on-demand ways to explore and discover without pressure. These kits are a welcoming starting point for anyone who wants to try something new, learn through play, or simply spend meaningful time creating at the library.”

The Studio at Main reflects ACPL’s commitment to lifelong learning, equitable access, and

community-centered innovation. Patrons of all ages are invited to visit, explore the Studio’s

tools, and celebrate a year of creativity in the heart of downtown Fort Wayne.

For more information about The Studio at Main and upcoming programs, visit acpl.info/the-studio.