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Scripps Miramar Ranch Library IDEA Lab

San Diego Public Library IDEA Lab logo

Scripps Miramar Ranch Library IDEA Lab
10301 Scripps Lake Drive | San Diego, CA 92131
Phone: 858-538-8158
 
Book an Appointment
Open Hours: Tuesdays 1:00pm-4:00pm

Upcoming Programs

Nov 23
2pm - 5pm

Sew Together

Middle School Age, Teens, Emerging Adults, Adults, Older Adults

Nov 25
2pm - 7:30pm

Study and Chill

Middle School Age, Teens

Nov 25
3:30pm - 5pm

LEGO Power Hour

Preschoolers, Elementary School Age, Middle School Age, Teens

Nov 25
3:30pm - 6pm

Teen IDEA Lab /Laboratorio de Ideas para Adolescentes

Middle School Age, Teens

Nov 26
2pm - 7:30pm

Study and Chill

Middle School Age, Teens

 

The Scripps Miramar Ranch Library IDEA Lab focuses on citizen science, a theme inspired by community conversations held by the library and the nearby Lake Miramar. Our makerspace features a 3D printers, a desktop cutting machine, and a Glowforge laser cutting machine. We aspire to collaborate with our community and create community-led programming.

 

Makerspace

Staff with laptop and a 3D printer printing
Collaborative Space for Makers
Imagine, design and fabricate almost anything with our makerspace equipment.
 
Equipment:
2 Makerbot Replicator+
Silhouette Cameo 4
Glowforge laser cutter
Cricut EasyPress
Button Maker
 

 

Lab Policy

Appointment required. Use this link to reserve your spot: https://sdplsridea.setmore.com/bookappointment

 
  • Maximum Occupancy = 1 Patron + 1 Staff member
  • One appointment block per person per day.
  • Patrons are expected to comply with all Library Rules of Conduct.
  • Patrons must bring their own materials to use with maker space equipment, except for 3D printing. 3D printer filament provided with the support of the Scripps Ranch Friends of the Library.
  • All work must be saved on a personal removable storage unit or cloud storage. Personal files will not be saved, as computers will be wiped after each session.
  • Library Staff reserves the right to ask you to discontinue working on your project in the IDEA Lab.
  • Violations of our library Rules of Conduct could result in having lab privileges revoked.
 
3D printed articulated cat in pink

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an IDEA Lab?
IDEA is an acronym for Innovate, Discover, Experience, and Achieve. The purpose of SDPL’s IDEA Labs are to inspire interest in science, technology, design, and 21st century skills in those who visit one of our makerspaces. A library makerspace gives community members access to tools, technology, and social connections that may not be easily accessible otherwise.
 
Who can use the IDEA Lab? 
The IDEA Lab is intended for all patrons to use for projects approved by a staff member.
 
Do I need a library card? 
No, the IDEA Lab is open to all patrons with or without a library card.
 
What resources do you offer? 
We have 3D printers, Glowforge Laser cutter, Silhouette Cameo 4, Cricut Easy Press,  button maker
 
How much does it cost to use the equipment? 
3D printing filament is provided courtesy of the Friends of the Scripps Ranch Library, but you will have to bring your own materials for the laser and die cutting machines.
 
How do I make a reservation?
Use this link to reserve your spot: https://sdplsridea.setmore.com/bookappointment
 
Do you offer tours or class visits for the IDEA Lab?
Tours and class visits can be scheduled by contacting the library at 858-538-8158 or by emailing SRstaff@sandiego.gov

Volunteer Opportunities

If you are interested in volunteering in the IDEA Lab our opportunities are listed here.

For volunteer opportunities at other library locations, please click here.

Image of Cricuit press

Resources

The following technology software resources list is compiled to provide you with suggestions for web-based, downloadable, open source, freeware and low-cost software to use on your personal devices. Some may be accessible in the IDEA Lab.

Open Source 3D Modeling Software

  • Blender - Home of the Blender project - Free and Open 3D Creation Software.
  • Design Spark - Resources & tools to aid engineers in design process.
  • Meshmixer - A state-of-the-art software for working with triangle meshes.
  • OpenSCAD - Create solid 3D CAD objects. Available for Linux/UNIX, MS Windows/Mac OS X.
  • SketchUp - 3D modeling software that's easy to learn and incredibly fun to use.
  • Thingiverse - Download files and build them with your laser cutter, 3D printer, or CNC.
  • TinkerCAD - 3D CAD design tool. Quickly turn ideas into a CAD model for a 3D printer.
  • 3D Slash - 3D modeling software with a unique interface: "slash" a cube using a set of tools to create a 3D design.
 

3D Splicing Software for Printing

  • MakerBot Print - Free software to prepare, manage, and share 3D prints.
  • Orca- A free open-source slicing software designed to convert 3D models into G-Code,
  • Ultimaker Cura - Ultimaker Cura prepares your model for 3D printing.
 

Open Source Electronic Prototyping

  • Arduino - Enabling users to create interactive electronic object.
 

Computer Programming

  • Code Academy - An online freemium interactive platform that offers free coding classes in 12 different programming languages (Python, Java, JavaScript, Ruby, SQL, and Sass, markup languages HTML and CSS).
  • Pure Data- An open source visual programming language for multimedia.
  • Raspberry Pi - A tiny and affordable computer. Learn programming.
  • Scratch - Create your own interactive stories, games, & animations.
  • Supercollider- A platform for Audio Synthesis and Algorithmic composition.
 

Web Development

  • CodePen - A social development environment. Allows you to write code in the browser, and see the results of it as you build. A useful and liberating tool for developers of any skill, and particularly empowering for people learning to code. Focusing on front-end languages like HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and preprocessing syntaxes that turn into those things.
  • Coffeecup - Responsive Web Design Tools and HTML Software.
  • W3Schools - A web developers site, with tutorials and references on web development languages (HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, SQL, Python, W3.CSS, and Bootstrap), covering most aspects of web programming.
 

Free Graphic Design Software

  • Canva - Online graphic design platform used to create social media graphics, presentations, posters, documents and other visual content.
  • GIMP - A free and open-source raster graphics editor used for image retouching and editing, free-form drawing, converting between different image formats, and more specialized tasks.
  • Inkscape - Professional quality vector graphics software (Linux, Mac OS X & Windows).
    • Ink/Stitch, for designing machine embroidery patterns.
    • Inkcut, for controlling 2D plotters, cutters, engravers, and CNC machines.
  • Krita - Raster graphics editor, designed primarily for digital painting & animation.
 

Video Editors

  • DaVinci Resolve - Professional offline and online editing, color correction, audio post production and now visual effects.
  • Kizoa - Online Movie Maker/Video Maker/Slideshow Maker. Personalize photos/videos/music with effects, text, & more!
  • Lightworks - Professional non-linear editing system for editing and mastering digital video in vari-ous formats, including 2K and 4K resolutions, and television in PAL, NTSC, and high-definition formats.
  • Shotcut - Cross-platform video editor for Windows, Mac and Linux.
 

Photo Editors

  • Adobe Photoshop Express Editor - Get all the essential tools, including Lightroom and Photoshop, for crafting incredible images every day.
  • Fotor - Free online designer and editing tool catering to all your photographic and image creation needs! Add filters, frames, text, stickers and more.
  • GIMP - Free and open-source raster graphics editor used for image retouching and editing, free-form drawing, converting between different image formats, and more specialized tasks.
  • Pixlr Editor - A free robust browser photo editor. Have full control over your images, including layers and effects.
 

Free CNC Milling Software

  • Easel - 3D Carving Made Easy. Design, import, and carve for free from a single program with Easel.
 
Embroidery Software
  • Inkstitch - An open source machine embroidery design platform based on Inkscape.

Project Ideas & Resources

  • Instructables - Learn how to make anything with Instructables. Easy to follow step-by-step instructions, online classes, and a vibrant maker community.
  • Inventables Projects - Inventables: the hardware store for designers. We help designers buy the products they need.
  • MAKE - Celebrates your right to tweak, hack, and bend any technology to your will.

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