3D printed busts and a patterned greeting card made at the Chicago Public LIbrary's Mini Maker Lab View Full Caption Chicago Public Library

EDGEBROOK — The community room at the Edgebrook branch of the Chicago Public Library has been transformed into a Mini Maker's Lab that will allow visitors to explore the cutting edge of computer-aided design.

Through Oct. 4, Chicagoans can test out two three-dimensional printers, a vinyl cutting machine and a three-dimensional camera.

The lab, a smaller version of one last year that drew crowds to the Harold Washington Library, is an effort by city officials to introduce residents to computer-aided design and new technology that has the potential to transform how items are manufactured, officials said.

Heather Cherone talks about the "mini maker" lab coming to the library:

Workshops, designed for those 14 and older, will allow curious technology-lovers to make their own three-dimensional busts as well as vinyl stickers and heat transfers. Other workshops will allow participants to make patterned greeting cards as well as three-dimensional earrings and key chains.

There will also be a workshop on how to use a hacked electronic knitting machine.

The lab will be open from 1:30-7:30 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays, from 11:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays. The lab is closed Fridays.

The next Mini Maker lab is scheduled to take place at the Chicago Public Library's Little Village branch from Oct. 14-Nov. 22.

For more information, or to register for classes, call 312-744-8313.

For more Northwest Side news from Heather Cherone, listen here: