Patrons who want to engrave a cutting board or cut acrylic shapes at the Little Elm Public Library will have to sit through a class first. The library has scheduled "Intro to Lasercutting" sessions for its new laser cutter on Thursday, Oct. 22, and Monday, Oct. 26, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the Makerspace.
Registration is required. When we checked Sunday, six seats remained for Thursday's session, according to the library's event calendar. Completing the class satisfies the safety requirement for using the machine, the listing says.
What the machine does
The library's equipment is a Full Spectrum P24 with a 90-watt laser and a 16-by-24-inch work bed, according to its makerspace page. It can cut and engrave wood, acrylic, cardboard, paper, leather, fabric, stone, glass and rubber, and can etch metal tumblers using the RetinaEngrave software. The library provides design software, including CorelDraw.
The rules are strict. Users must be at least 18, or 16 with a parent or guardian's consent, and must hold a Little Elm Public Library card in good standing. They have to finish the safety and equipment training, bring their own materials and stay with their project the whole time.
Elsewhere on the calendar this week
The library's events calendar lists free, bilingual programs most days:
- Monday, Oct. 19: Baby Rhyme Time at 10:30 a.m. for ages 0 to 12 months, and a family LEGO challenge at 4:30 p.m. with LEGO Robotics kits. The Little Elm Friends of the Library meets at 6:30 p.m.
- Tuesday, Oct. 20: Pokemon Club for ages 5 and up, 3:30 to 5 p.m., with card decks provided.
- Wednesday, Oct. 21: Toddler storytime at 10:15 a.m. and preschool storytime at 11 a.m.
- Thursday, Oct. 22: An outdoor storytime for babies 6 to 24 months at 10:30 a.m. at The Lawn, 125 Main St., and an adult video game club from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
The library, at 100 W. Eldorado Parkway, is open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Its phone number is 214-975-0430.
