Tucked inside the library, the CraftLab has quietly grown into one of the most beloved spaces on campus—a place where students come not only to create, but to relax. Between engineering equations, programming assignments, and physics problem sets, it offers something rare: time, materials, and a welcoming community where creativity isn’t just encouraged—it’s shared.
Located on the first floor of the Library, the CraftLab is a compact but ever‑expanding hub packed with tools and supplies for every kind of maker. Students can dive into projects using a vinyl cutter, sewing machines, heat presses, button makers, a sublimation printer, and a simple laminator. With plenty of craft materials available, the space offers everything needed to design, experiment, and bring creative ideas to life. Students also have access to a laser engraver and 3D printers in the Library’s DSL upstairs.
For Natalie Johnson, a second‑year Mechanical Engineering student, who is working in the CraftLab as a Federal Work Study for the second year, the connection was immediate. “I saw the heat press through the window,” she said with a laugh. “That was my first reason for coming in. I’ve always loved heat‑transfer vinyl, and after interviewing to work here, I wanted the job even more.”
Olivia Cicerrella, a first‑year Computer Science major, said the CraftLab has become a kind of home base. “I was very excited when I found it,” she said. “It gave me someplace to be outside my dorm. I’ve made a lot of friends in here.” Now she stops in at least three times a week, often just to make something fun. On the day we talked, she was stringing together a colorful bead bracelet.
“I just enjoy the environment. There are always nice people in here to talk to when you are doing crafts, “she said, “and it’s definitely an escape—a break from all the academic work.” However, she also uses the CraftLab for coursework. “Last semester I had to build a bridge for a class, and I made it right here in the CraftLab,” she said.
A senior in Computer Science, Chervelle Pierre, uses the CraftLab frequently for personal projects like handmade cards and small creative projects. “For me, it’s a way to balance my academics,” she explained. “My major doesn’t really allow me to use my creative side. The CraftLab gives me a creative outlet. It helps me use the other side of my brain—not the technical side, so a more holistic approach to life.”
Sandesh More, a Computer Science Ph.D. student, blends his interest in digital and analog photography using the CraftLab’s tools, finding ways to merge old and new techniques in a space that encourages experimentation. He pops in often when he wants to make something meaningful—birthday gifts or greeting cards printed on the photo‑quality printer, or simply uses the space when he has downtime. “When I'm idle, I come here and do sketches, paintings and drawings.”
Even students who weren’t sure the CraftLab was “for them” end up staying. Chris Blackwell, a first‑year Computer Science major who works at the iDesk, admitted he wasn’t sure he’d ever use the space. Now he’s there two to three times a week, repainting and customizing Skylander figures for the game he loves. “Admittedly, going in, I didn’t think I’d use it since I’m not a fabric person,” he said, “but I appreciate the space for the collegiality. I’ve made friends here. I’d definitely recommend it.”
Across majors, class years, and interests, one theme repeats: the CraftLab is more than a makerspace—it’s a community space. Students come to create, but they stay because creativity makes room for conversation, friendship, and a space that, despite its chaotic appearance, offers a welcome respite and the unique opportunity to combine analog and digital creativity.
