Westfield Memorial Library Announces its First Ever Maker in Residence

Westfield Memorial Library has announced the appointment of engineering student Joy Luo as the library's first Maker in Residence. Joy's summer residency will feature several opportunities for residents of all ages to engage with the maker, including open studio hours and a public meet and greet.

Joy is a Westfield native who recently completed a rigorous dual degree undergraduate program, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Economics with a minor in Physics from Oberlin College, and a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Robotics from Washington University in St. Louis.

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Luo will return to Washington University this fall to pursue a Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering. Her work sits at the intersection of the space industry, emerging technologies, and entrepreneurship, and she is driven by a commitment to innovation that creates meaningful, positive impact on society.

"The goal of our new maker residency is to identify people in the community with deep technical expertise who have an eagerness to share their knowledge and ongoing work with the public," says Allen McGinley, Library Director. "Joy's commitment to building things that matter is what the Westfield Makerspace is all about."

During her residency, Joy will have dedicated access to the library's Makerspace and its tools and equipment, where she will develop and exhibit original work.

"Hands-on learning, curiosity, and problem-solving should be accessible to everyone in our community," says Genevieve Girvan, Emerging Technologies Librarian and Makerspace Coordinator. "I encourage everyone to come talk with Joy, learn about her process, and walk away inspired to make something of their own."

Joy will share her work with residents during open studio hours in the Westfield Makerspace on Monday, August 3 and Wednesday, August 5 from 2:00pm to 3:30pm. She will also present her project in a more formal meet and greet with Q&A on Tuesday, August 18 from 7:00pm to 8:00pm.

The focus of Joy's summer residency in the Westfield Makerspace will be 3D design and printing. 3D printing is a type of additive manufacturing where a three-dimensional object is created from a digital file by building one layer at a time.

The Maker in Residence program is part of the library's ongoing commitment to providing hands-on, project-based learning opportunities that foster creativity, critical thinking, and 21st-century skills for community members of all ages and backgrounds.

To stay up to date on Joy's progress, sign up for the library's weekly email newsletter at wmlnj.org or follow us on social media.