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Idea Lab

 

Imagine. Explore. Create.

Inside the Idea Lab, you can bring your creativity to life!

Welcome to the Idea Lab!

Located inside the Denham Springs-Walker Branch, the Idea Lab is your gateway to cutting-edge technology! From 3D printing and document lamination to virtual reality, laser engraving, Cricut machines, and more, the Idea Lab puts powerful creative tools in your hands – all available to you as part of your library experience.   

No matter your skill level, the Idea Lab empowers every patron to create, learn, and innovate. Whether you're a maker, a dreamer, or just curious, this is where your ideas can come to life.

Learn more below, and discover how the Idea Lab can turn your imagination into reality.

Innovation starts here

The Idea Lab is a public space where creativity meets technology! Inside this space, you will discover a wide range of tools and technologies to support you creative projects, big or small.

Here are some of the services we offer:

3D Printing

Print custom models, prototypes, and one-of-a-kind creations on demand, layer by layer.

(Cost: $1.00 base charge + 5¢ per gram of material used.)


Button, Magnet, and Sticker Makers

Design and produce custom buttons, magnets, and stickers with ease.

(Cost: 10¢ per button; 20¢ per magnet; 10¢ per inch of sticker paper used.)


Virtual Reality

Step inside immersive worlds beyond your imagination.

(No charge.)


3D Scanning

Capture real-world objects as editable digital models.

(No charge.)


Laser Engraving

Etch detailed designs onto wood, leather, and more – with clean, professional results.

(No charge, please bring desired materials.)


Sewing Machines

Stitch, craft, and create your next fabric masterpiece with ease.

(No charge; please bring desired materials.)


Lamination

Protect and preserve documents with a durable, professional coating.

(Cost: 25¢ per laminate sheet.)


Book Binder

Bind documents and projects with a professional finish.

(Cost: $1.00 for softcover binding; $5 for hardcover binding)


Inkjet Printing

Print vibrant, high-quality images and documents with sharp detail and true-to-life color on cardstock, resume paper, label paper, and printable vinyl.

(Cost: 50¢ per printed sheet; please bring desired materials.)


Precision Cutting (Cricut)

Cut, design, and craft intricate shapes and designs with precision and style.

(No charge; please bring desired materials.)

See what's available

The Idea Lab is stocked with professional-grade tools and machines, giving patrons everything they need to design, create, and build.

Button, Magnet, and Sticker Makers

  • American Button Machines: a high-quality, professional button maker machine known for creating various sizes of pinback buttons, magnets, and stickers.
  • Xyron Create-A-Sticker: a manual, non-electric crafting machine that applies adhesive to the back of items, turning them into stickers without mess or drying time.

Book Binder

  • Pro-Bind 2000 Thermal Binding System: a heavy-duty, all-metal desktop machine designed to create professional-looking hard and soft-covered documents.

Precision Cutting

  • Cricut Maker: a professional-level, smart desktop cutting machine designed for crafters to cut, draw, score, and engrave more than 300 materials.
  • Cricut Heat Press: a specialized crafting tool designed to apply iron-on vinyl (HTV), Infusible Ink, and sublimation designs to fabrics and surfaces like T-shirts, bags, and coasters.

Inkjet Printing

  • Brother MFC-J995DW: an all-in-one inkjet printer that serves home or small office needs.

Lamination

  • GCB Fusion Plus 7000L: a high-speed laminator designed for busy offices, capable of laminating an letter-sized, legal-sized, and ledger-sized document in seconds.

Sewing Machines

  • Singer Stylist: a popular, user-friendly computerized sewing machine designed for all skill levels, featuring 100+ stitch patterns and 750 stitches per minute.
  • Brother Computerized Sewing: a user-friendly, feature-rich sewing machine controlled by a microprocessor, featuring an LCD screen for selecting from dozens or hundreds of built-in stitches.

3D Printing

  • Lulzbot TAZ Workhorse: offers an unmatched user experience in 3D printing, built on years of development and practical experience, ensuring reliability and ease of use.
  • LulzBot TAZ 6: a reliable, open-source desktop 3D printer known for its large build volume, self-leveling, and self-cleaning capabilities.
  • Ultimaker 2+: a highly reliable, single-extrusion desktop 3D printer known for its precision, ease of use, and open-filament system.
  • MakerBot Replicator 2: an easy and fast tool for making professional-quality models.
  • Flashforge Creator Pro: a popular, enclosed, dual-extrusion 3D printer designed for enthusiast and professional use.

3D Scanning

  • Peel 3D 2-S: a handheld, structured white light 3D scanner designed specifically for capturing small, intricate objects (roughly 2 to 20 inches) with high precision.

Laser Engraving

  • Epilog Fusion Edge Laser Engraver: a high-speed, precision, industrial-grade desktop laser cutter and engraver designed for makers, educators, and manufacturers. 

Virtual Reality

  • VIVE Focus Vision: a premium hybrid VR headset offering standalone and PC VR modes, built for serious gamers and content creators.

When & where

The Idea Lab is located inside the Denham Springs-Walker Branch, located at 8101 US Hwy. 190, Denham Springs, LA 70726.

The Idea Lab’s Hours of Operation are as follows:

  • Monday & Wednesday: 1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
  • Tuesday & Thursday: 4:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
  • Friday: 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. 

The Idea Lab is also available by appointment, as staff members are available.

Book your visit

The Idea Lab is available outside of operating hours through our Book-A-Librarian appointments, as staff members are available. Key information regarding this service includes:

  • Book-A-Librarian sessions are one (1) hour long. Additional sessions can be booked, but not for the same day.
  • Book-A-Librarian sessions must be booked online. If you are unable to book a session online, please call your branch for assistance.
  • Requests must be made at least three (3) days in advance.
  • When submitting a Book-a-Librarian request, patrons must provide the following:
    • Library card number & pin
    • Full name
    • Email
    • Phone number

Schedule an appointment with us and find out how you can bring your ideas to life!

Book-a-Librarian

Request a 3D print

The Library is proud to offer 3D printing services to our community!

Submit a 3D printing request and let us help you turn your digital designs into tangible, real-world creations.

Request Form

Let's get started

Got a question about the Idea Lab? Contact the Denham Springs-Walker Branch at (225) 686-4140.