The Scholars’ Lab Makerspace is a place for crafting, tinkering, and experimentation with technologies like 3D printing, sewing, physical computing, and augmented reality. Open to everyone—absolutely no prior experience needed and no fees!—we specialize in hands-on approaches to research questions and coursework.
Informed by a rich tradition of Library support for exploring materiality in Special Collections and the Fine Arts Library Materials Collection, and for participating in the physical-made-digital in both the Scholars’ Lab and the Robertson Media Center in Clemons, our Makerspace Technologists can help faculty and student researchers evaluate new approaches to their work, and consider both the hows and the whys of making.
Learning how to do something with technology gives us a more informed perspective on why we do things. Both are vital.
Interested in exploring the Makerspace? Have an idea to use microcontrollers or 3D modeling and printing technology to enhance your research or differently interrogate your assumptions? Stop by to talk to one of our Technologists, attend our maker workshops, or contact us at slabmakerspace@virginia.edu to schedule an appointment with a Makerspace Technologist or Scholars’ Lab staff to discuss your planned project.
For more information about our equipment, open hours, and staff, please see the Makerspace website.
Printers
To ensure that printing goes smoothly for printers and users alike, the UVA Library requires that everyone who wishes to reserve a print time online attend a training session with our Makerspace staff and agree to our common sense safety policies. Just drop into during open hours or email slabmakerspace@virginia.edu to schedule your session. Once you've received training on a particular printer (you'll need training for each one), you'll be an authorized user of that machine, and you'll be able to print independently, and make printer reservations online.
Other equipment
Other equipment (e.g. soldering irons, sewing machines, Arduino kits, etc.) is available for use in the Makerspace as well. Some items are reservable, while others are available on a first-come-first-served basis. For more details, please see our equipment catalog.