What does a public library look like when it becomes a hands-on hub for creativity, media production, and lifelong learning?
In this episode of PLN, Potomac Local News founder and publisher Uriah Kiser is joined by Simon Watts, Maker Lab Specialist at the Central Rappahannock Regional Library, to talk about Idea Space—the library’s maker and media facility in downtown Fredericksburg—as it marks five years of serving the community.
Located on Princess Anne Street, Idea Space offers residents free access to advanced tools that many people don’t expect to find inside a public library. The facility includes 3D printers, Glowforge laser cutters, a professional sound booth for audio and video recording, sewing and embroidery machines, and other creative technology.
During the conversation, Watts explains how hundreds of residents have earned badges to use the equipment, with more than 2,000 badges issued overall. He also discusses how the program launched during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and has continued to grow since then.
Watts says many first-time visitors are surprised not only by the technology, but by how welcoming and accessible the space feels. Library staff focus on helping users feel comfortable, even when the equipment or learning process seems intimidating at first.
The episode also explores some of the creative projects that have come out of Idea Space, including podcasts, music recordings, and audiovisual performances featured through the library’s Idea Space Presents digital concert series.
The timing of the podcast coincides with Idea Space’s fifth anniversary celebration, scheduled for Wednesday, December 17, 2025, at 4 p.m. The public is invited to attend a brief recognition ceremony highlighting the facility’s growth and impact since opening.
Listen to the full conversation above to learn how Idea Space is helping redefine what a public library can be—and what library users can expect in the years ahead.
