Creative Spaces

Creative Spaces are Dallas Public Library’s new makerspaces carved out of vacant rooms in the J. Erik Jonsson Central Library. Each space serves a different creative endeavor: storytelling, fiber arts and preservation. The library provides unique equipment and technology to allow the public to get hands-on experience, build new skills or try a new hobby.

Currently, all Creative Spaces are available by appointment only. Please contact the 3rd, 4th or 8th floor directly to make an appointment and learn about current access to Creative Spaces. You can also email LibCreativeSpaces@dallascityhall.com.

Story Center on the 3rd floor is a studio for storytelling in all its forms. Start your own podcast, make movies, record your family and friends telling stories, or go analog with a typewriter.

Fiber Arts Workroom is dedicated to all things fabric and thread: sewing, knitting, embroidery, weaving and more. It’s located on the 4th floor.

Heritage Lab contains digitization tools to make copies of irreplaceable photos, home movies, documents, slides and audio cassettes. Located on the 8th floor, the space is made possible with the generous support of the Dallas Genealogy Society.

Special events and workshops are planned for all three spaces. To get updates on Creative Spaces, sign up for email notifications here: Creative Spaces Newsletter

How to Get Started

Sign up for a library card! Already have a library card in good standing? Head to the 3rd, 4th or 8th floor to use the Story Center, Fiber Arts Workroom or Heritage Lab. Don’t have a library card? Give us a call, chat with us, or email LibCreativeSpaces@dallascityhall.com. to sign up.
You will be asked to take an online orientation for the space you would like to use. You must pass a short quiz before initial use and show proof of completion to staff. Orientations can be found at Niche Academy: Creative Spaces.
You must sign a waiver [PDF - LIB-FRM-405.pdf]. Creators under the age of 18 must have a parent or legal guardian sign the waiver. In the case of the Fiber Arts Workroom, waiver must be signed in the presence of a notary.
Sessions are given in two-hour increments, for a maximum of four hours per day. Appointments should be made in advance of your visit. Longer sessions or more regular bookings can be made by contacting the individual Creative Spaces:
- Story Center: Visit the J. Erik Jonsson Central Library’s 3rd floor reference desk, email libcreativespaces@dallas.gov or call 214-670-1668.
- Fiber Arts Workroom: Visit the J. Erik Jonsson Central Library’s 4th floor reference desk, email libcreativespaces@dallas.gov or call 214-670-1643.
- Heritage Lab: Visit the J. Erik Jonsson Central Library’s 8th floor reference desk, email libcreativespaces@dallas.gov or call 214-670-1433.

Hours

Creative Spaces are available all hours the library is open. Call ahead or email us at libcreativespaces@dallas.gov > to reserve a spot.

Creative Spaces Procedures and Guidelines

Creative Spaces are community resources meant to be shared by many members of the public. Creative Spaces at Dallas Public Library have the following policies:

General Guidelines

Dallas Public Library code of conduct must be observed at all times while using any of the creative spaces.
Age restrictions: All creative spaces are designated for use by persons age 13 and older. Children ages 12 and under must be accompanied and supervised by a parent or legal guardian at all times.
Food and drink: Food and drink are prohibited in all Creative Spaces.
Release form/ waiver [PDF - LIB-FRM-405.pdf] must be signed before using Creative Spaces. If you are under the age of 18, release must be signed by parent or legal guardian. In the case of the Fiber Arts Workroom, release must be signed in the presence of a notary.
Unless otherwise authorized, there is no storage of personal belongings, ongoing projects, or digital content in any of the Creative Spaces or on any of the Creative Space computers or equipment.
- When storing digital content, you must provide your own storage device.
- Library staff are not responsible for items left in the Creative Spaces.
The library is not responsible for any defects or the quality of any of the equipment in the Creative Spaces, nor any items created within spaces. You are responsible for your creations.
Creators are responsible for completing the meeting room checklist at the end of their session and returning it to staff.
Creators may temporarily lose equipment access and require retraining on equipment if they:
- Cause the equipment to be out of service.
- Fail to follow the equipment usage guidelines.
- Demonstrate a lack of basic knowledge needed to use the equipment.

Booking a Session

You must be a DPL library account holder to book a session in any of the Creative Spaces. You must use your own account to book a reservation.
An orientation is required for each space before initial use. Visit Niche Academy: Creative Spaces to get started.
Upon arrival, check-in with staff at the reference desk on the 3rd floor for the Story Center, 4th floor for the Fiber Arts Workroom or 8th floor for the Heritage Lab.
Creators can only hold one reservation at a time.
Sessions must be reserved prior to arrival at the Creative Space. Sessions are given in two-hour increments, for a maximum of four hours per day.
- If you need to book a longer session or need a more regular booking of the Story Center, please call the J. Erik Jonsson Central Library’s 3rd floor reference desk at 214-670-1668 or email libcreativespaces@dallas.gov.
- If you need to book a longer session or need a more regular booking of the Fiber Arts Workroom, please call the J. Erik Jonsson Central Library’s 4th floor reference desk at 214-670-1643 or email libcreativespaces@dallas.gov.
- If you need to book a longer session or need a more regular booking of the Heritage Lab, please call the J. Erik Jonsson Central Library’s 8th floor reference desk at 214-670-1433 or email libcreativespaces@dallas.gov.
For information on which pieces of equipment can be reserved in each Creative Space, please visit the Story Center, Fiber Arts Workroom, and Heritage Lab pages.
Staff may inspect materials you’ve brought with you for use to make sure it won’t harm equipment. e.g., digitization equipment, storage device, thread.)
Upon the end of your reservation, or when you have finished using the equipment, please checkout with a staff member and be sure all steps on the meeting room checklist are completed.
Each Creative Space is currently limited to use by one person or household at a time.

Creation Guidelines

Creators should be respectful of the audience and community by understanding visitors of all ages and backgrounds can see items as they are being constructed/completed. In addition, creators should not promote violence, abuse of any kind, use hate speech or any illegal activity with their productions. Final determination is at the discretion of library management.
Creators are subject to all copyright laws. Creators should not transmit or reproduce copyrighted or patented content without permission from the copyright or patent holder.
Creators should not share content that is legally defined as obscene or child pornography, or knowingly sharing with minors content that is harmful to minors.
Creators should not create or share content that constitutes physical or virtual harassment of others.
Creators must not hack, misappropriate, tamper with or damage work or equipment of others. Engaging in the distribution of malware or similar malicious software is forbidden.
Groups and organizations may schedule a training or demonstration of any equipment in Creative Spaces. To schedule a training/demonstration, please contact us at libcreativespaces@dallascityhall.com; or call us at 214-670-1668 for the Story Center, 214-670-1643 for the Fiber Arts Workroom, and 214-670-1433 for the Heritage Lab.

Safety Guidelines

Dallas Public Library code of conduct must be observed at all times while using any of the creative spaces.
Creators should act in a manner that does not disrupt the orderly conduct of the space, prevents other patrons from using library resources, or interferes with library employees performing their duties.
Follow the rules for each piece of equipment.
Report any unsafe behavior or malfunctioning equipment to library staff.
Equipment should remain in Creative Spaces.
Clean and return any item to its proper storage when not in use.
Please do not engage in behavior that may startle or distract others in creative space.
While using the Fiber Arts Workroom:
- Remove or fasten any loose clothing and/or jewelry.
- Keep hands, fingers and hair away from moving parts of the equipment.
- Think through the whole job before starting.
- Always check adjustments on the machines before turning on power.
- Make sure that everyone is clear of the machines before turning them on.
- Start your own machine and remain with it until you have turned it off and it has come to a complete stop.

Library staff have the discretion to determine violations of these guidelines. Failure to observe guidelines will result in a loss of Creative Space privileges.