Akron Public Library and The Curated Storefront – Akron, Ohio
Akron is miles ahead of most places when it comes to making technology for makers easily available for its residents, library users, and businesses. The Akron Public Library in the center of downtown is handsomely outfitted with a whole suite of equipment to help with making vinyl banners, 3d printing, transferring media from one format to another, taking professional photographs, and scanning, printing, and copying. It was quite an experience to see all of this housed under one roof. Even more impressive was to observe how freely available all these tools were. The vinyl printer is booked two weeks in advance. There is a fee per foot of material for what is produced. This venture represents an exciting initiative by a public institution (library) to support creativity and innovation by both residents, library users, and businesses (private enterprise). Hopefully it is a model for other public institutions to follow.
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The Curated Storefront is a project that relies on technology at the library to fabricate artworks that are subsequently installed in vacant storefronts throughout Akron. This very innovative program has already transformed dozens of storefronts throughout Akron. The program has been supported by Knight Arts and also the Downtown Akron Partnership.