Westfield Memorial Library awarded $100,000 grant by Westfield Foundation for Makerspace

The Board of Trustees of the Westfield Memorial Library is pleased to announce a grant award from The Westfield Foundation in the amount of $100,000 to fund the purchase of equipment and supplies for a public makerspace to be located at the library.

The Golden Impact Grant award was announced by The Westfield Foundation at its 50th Anniversary celebration on May 28th at the Echo Lake Country Club. Additional grant recipients at the event included The Foundation for Sustainable Housing, Project Playground, Westfield Arts Collective - Center for Creativity @ the Rialto, and the Westfield Volunteer Rescue Squad.

The library’s grant award will be used to launch a state-of-the-art public makerspace offering free, hands-on access to cutting-edge tools and technology — such as 3D printers, laser cutters, milling machines, and robotics equipment.

Open to Westfield residents of all ages, the space will spark creativity, foster innovation, and support STEM learning in an inclusive, community-centered environment.

“Makerspaces bring people together around shared interests,” says Allen McGinley, Library Director. “These interests are increasingly related to computing and technology but also include more traditional handicrafts.”

“It’s exciting to see our library evolving from a more passive, one-way learning environment to a dynamic public space full of rich, hands-on learning opportunities,” McGinley added.

Construction of the makerspace on the library’s 2nd floor is expected to begin this summer, with an opening in the fall of 2025.

Visit the library’s website at https://wmlnj.org/ to register for programs, sign up for a library card, or learn more about the library’s resources. Library hours are Monday - Thursday 9:30 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.; and Sunday 1:00-5:00 p.m.