Get Ready for EBPLay Media Lab!
The East Brunswick Public Library is embracing the “maker culture” by creating a new space and giving you tools to bring your creativity to the next level. During the next month, the Library will unveil the EBPLay Media Lab, which will include five Mac computer work stations, all with Final Cut Pro, so that patrons of all ages can edit and produce their own movie masterpieces, right here in East Brunswick.
“It’s all about the ‘maker culture’ and how libraries are embracing it,” said Assistant Director Maryann Ralph. “It’s really is a gathering of people that have common interests to create, in this case, digital content, and editing and creating videos.”
The Library will offer its first workshop designed to train beginners on how to use this software on Saturday, May 31, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The workshop is free, open to teens and adults, but limited to 5 participants. In addition to the workshops, the lab also will have drop-in hours, so you can bring your school or work projects here and finish them on your own time.
“For some people, if this is something brand new that they’d like to try, we recommend taking a workshop,” said Ralph. “For people that have used it before, they can just pop in. It’s like any of our other computers. They will be available all the time that we’re open, with a sign-in like we use for our other computer stations.”
The library was awarded $7,500 to help fund this Mobile Project initiative by the New Jersey State Library and LibraryLinkNJ, the New Jersey Library Cooperative whose services are funded by the New Jersey State Library, which is responsible for the coordination, promotion, and the New Jersey Library Network.
EBPLay is just one step in the Library’s effort to embrace maker culture. From Saturday Stitch, to a variety of programming that includes Lego days, jewelry making with the Rainbow Loom, Game Design Club, and more. Maker culture is quickly becoming a cornerstone at the Library.
“They’re working together, helping each other and showing each other how to do it, and that’s what the maker culture is all about, community learning,” said Ralph.
Now, with the EBPLay lab, the library is taking Maker Culture to the next level, and Ralph couldn’t be more excited.
“We know more and more people are creating their own digital content, and this can be popular and grow,” she said. “Hopefully this is something we can build upon.”
One of the library’s first plans is to partner with the East Brunswick High School’s video club and hold a short film contest, Record.Play for teens. Contestants will be challenged to create a short trailer for the Library. The entire community will be invited to the Record.Play Film Festival in September when the judges announce the winners and to view the trailers.
The relationship between school and library is one that could benefit everyone.
“The school will help supplement our knowledge base, because they have used the material before,” said Renu Singal. “They have a baseline knowledge, which will help us.”
Ralph said students are excited about the library’s plans.
“They’re very excited because once school is closed, and even during the school day, Students have a very limited amount of time to work on their own projects in their media labs,” said Ralph. “Now they can come here and make use of our tools whenever they need.”
Visit the Library Website, www.ebpl.org, and our Facebook page for updates on EBPLay Media Lab and Record.Play competition. Go to our website for more information on how to register.
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