Caltech Library News

The TechHub: Caltech Library's Friendly Crafting Space for Creative Play Is Thriving

The Caltech Library TechHub has quickly become one of the most valuable resources on campus. The numbers prove it: this year alone, the TechHub has printed 580 posters and completed 3,937 3D prints for 687 registered users. These aren't just statistics—they represent research projects, class assignments, and creative ideas brought to life.

Located on the first floor of Caltech Hall, the TechHub brings together several important services in one convenient place. The TechLab provides 3D printing equipment that anyone can learn to use, even without prior experience. Staff members, such as TechHub Manager Ian Roberts and TechHub Library Support Assistant Arleen Hom, help users determine the best settings for their projects and create test prototypes. The Library lending program lets students borrow computers, audiovisual equipment, and assistive technology for coursework.

Frida Moreno, a Caltech senior who has worked at the TechHub for going on three years, calls it “a hidden gem.” She describes a space where students can “learn to 3D print at no cost using our new Bluetooth Bambu Lab printers, rent out equipment (like web cameras, laptops, cameras, board games, and much more), use the sewing machine, make custom stickers using our Cricut machine, design pins of various sizes, and print out posters for conferences and SURF presentations at a very low cost. We also have a mini makerspace area where students can come by and use screen wipes, pliers, calipers, soldering equipment, screwdrivers, and all sorts of other small DIY tools. I've seen people come by to repair glasses, clean up the dust inside their computers or cell phones, and polish up their print jobs.”

What makes the TechHub special is how it supports both serious academic work and creative exploration. Some classes now require 3D printing for assignments, making the lab essential to the curriculum. At the same time, the new Third Thursday Drop-In program invites community members to make stickers and buttons, sew plushies for Mole Day, and celebrate International Games Day, just for fun. This combination creates an environment where innovation happens naturally.

The demand has already exceeded expectations. When a donor gave $20,000 to purchase new 3D printers in 2023, usage doubled. The case for expansion is straightforward: the TechHub is already operating at high capacity, serving hundreds of users and supporting required coursework.

But the TechHub has even greater potential to become a complete makerspace where people can learn practical skills and explore creative projects. With investment of time and support, the TechHub could offer more workshops, support more users, and truly become the "friendly crafting space for creative play" that the community clearly wants and needs. Frida Moreno speaks for all of us at the Library when she hopes “to see more students taking advantage of this great resource on campus in the near future!”