Bursting at the seams: Council axes library program amid fight for space

Walking into a colourful room at Carindale Library on a weekday for the past two years, you would be likely to encounter a dozen people learning how to cut, sew and seam.

Ranging from teens to octogenarians, and spanning ethnicities, genders and sexualities, this group would share their problems, make friends and even practise English while they worked.

No longer. The Makerspace program was axed by the council in September with one week’s notice, sparking community outcry and an online petition that has attracted more than 1000 signatures.

The council closed the Carindale Library’s Makerspace, saying fewer than 500 people took part in the past year. But one enthusiast said it was so popular she was only able to “get in twice a month”.Credit: Carindale Makerspace Group

The council said only 487 people had used the space in the past year.

But organisers said that number only took into account independent use of the space and not programming, and the true attendance was more than three times the figure.

For retiree Praline Choolum, Makerspace was a chance to acquire new skills and make clothing for her grandchildren.

“It’s been such a popular space that I’ve only been able to get in twice a month for two hours at a time. I would be there twice a week if I could,” Choolum said.

Users who met with councillor Ryan Murphy about the closure were told it was too late to reverse the decision.

“Councillor Murphy had quoted that the library was under pressure, that they needed the space, that people were sitting on the floor,” she said.

“The only people we’ve ever seen sitting on the floor are kids who like sitting on the floor. It doesn’t make sense, and none of the councillors are listening to us.”

Another user, Sue Monteath, said she was devastated Makerspace had closed without community consultation.

“It wasn’t just going there and learning to sew, it was camaraderie and sharing skills. It’s such a great loss to the community.”

Makerspace at Carindale Library offered workshops, programs, and events that supported people of all ages, backgrounds and identities.Credit: Carindale Makerspace Group

Makerspace was equipped with sewing machines, overlockers and a laser cutter, and was staffed by a part-time instructor.

Council confirmed that the Makerspace equipment would be donated to a local community organisation.

They referred this masthead to a similar program available at the State Library of Queensland called The Edge that Makerspace participants could use.

However, Choolum said the sewing machines on offer at the State Library were not up to the standard of what was being offered at Carindale. “And there’s no one there supporting you,” she said.

Councillor Vicki Howard, Civic Cabinet Chair of Community and the Arts Committee, said that council had invested $1 million into upgrading the Carindale Library.

“We now have this exciting opportunity to transform this space into somewhere for more residents to access and enjoy,” she said.

QUT professor Dr Matthew Rimmer said library maker spaces worldwide served a range of valuable functions, from education and training to business development, as well as community building.

“Maker spaces, rather than something peripheral or marginal, could be a really important service. If anything, Carindale would benefit from more.”

Labor councillor Lucy Collier said the closure would leave a big hole in the community.

“It’s vital that the users of this space, particularly vulnerable members who rely on it for creative engagement and social interaction, will still be able to visit a space or access the equipment,” she said.

Choolum said she also appreciated the mental health benefits of social interaction at Makerspace.

“We are going to keep fighting to get a space, if not at the library then somewhere else,” she said.

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