The Annapolis Innovation Lab is a 'design and prototyping studio’ and teaching space, where teens, adults and seniors from the community are able to incorporate leading-edge computer-driven tools and technologies to solve engineering challenges in creative scientific, music and visual arts projects.
The Annapolis Innovation Lab is the hub at the centre of a 'Makers' Network' for the surrounding region. The Annapolis Innovation Lab located at the Library draws on the wealth of high tech skills in the Annapolis Royal area.
The goal of the Maker Space project is to provide a year-round, seven days a week experimental lab for the whole community to learn new skills and work directly with new technologies. This is an important learning resource for the whole community.
The Annapolis Innovation Lab Board (of Directors), composed of representatives from the Makers Network, the Town and the AVRL system, administers the Lab and is responsible for program delivery.
The Academy Innovation Lab creates a more knowledgeable and technologically innovative community through sharing expertise and access to creative technologies.
A wide range of technology is present in the lab. It's all here, just waiting for your ideas and imagination. A place to create, experiment, teach and learn!
Anybody can build a robot! That includes kids, school teachers, parents, seniors and non-engineers.
The Robotics station has everything you need to get started if you are a beginner, and lots of tools (toys) for the experienced builders. Including Lego Robotics, Raspberry Pis and more.
3D printer and replicator, and computers with 3D modeling software.
Latest, powerful Apple computer with the current “Adobe Suite” of software. Including; Premiere, Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign etc.
Windows and Mac computers with the latest DAW software and sounds. Make a beat or control a virtual orchestra. Edit a recording or create the unheard.
The textile centre for fabric artists, includes a heavy duty sewing machine, drum carder, Bolivar rug hooking fabric cutter, Cricut Maker, yarn swift and ball winder.
Canon DSLR digital still and video camera plus GoPro action/sports camera, and video editing software.
The Annapolis Innovation Lab is located in the Annapolis Royal library space, in the Academy building (formerly the ARRA) - accessed from Ritchie Street.
143 Ritchie Street, Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia, B0S 1A0
Library telephone number: 902-532-2226
For enquiries, please contact the library, or email info@annapolisinnovationlab.ca
For the current calendar showing all the upcoming events and activities at the Annapols Innovation Lab, click the link below.
[Link will open in a new window.]
The Town of Annapolis Royal provides and maintains the Lab workshop facility in the town library building and the Annapolis Valley Regional Library (AVRL) system provides technical support, high speed networking and the communications capability as well as some programming assistance to the Lab. The computer workstations, 3D printer, Cricut system, Smart Board and other tools and equipment in the Lab were purchased through the generous support of local donors, the Friends of the Annapolis Royal Library and a grant from ACOA.
Workshops and special Lab projects are funded through grants from public and private agencies, but the day-to-day Lab operation relies on volunteers coordinated and trained by a part-time Lab supervisor funded through private donations. On-going Lab programs, workshops and speaker events are offered free to the general public to encourage the widest possible use of the facility, although there is a small charge for materials such as the 3D printer filament and special materials for the laser cutter.
Given the current level of programming, the goal of the Lab Board is to raise approximately $12,000 a year to keep the facility staffed, operating and open to the public.
The Innovation Lab relies on private donors to fund most of costs for Lab supervision and member training. Donations to the Innovation Lab, an affiliate program of the Annapolis Valley Regional Library, are charitable donations for income tax purposes. Please note that any donation should be directed to the AVRL ‘for use by the Annapolis Innovation Lab’. We can accept one-time, or on-going monthly or yearly donations, as well as memorial donations and bequests. Please contact our Lab Treasurer, at info@annapolisinnovationlab.ca if you wish to discuss arrangements for making a donation to support the operation of the Innovation Lab.
Important: Please indicate on your cheque that the donation is to the ‘AVRL for the use of the Annapolis Innovation Lab’. The AVRL will issue you a receipt for income tax purposes on behalf of the Innovation Lab for the amount of your donation.
Important: Make sure that you choose 'Annapolis Royal Innovation Lab' from the drop-down list of funds below the donation amount box. On-line contributions will receive a receipt for income tax purposes from the AVRL directly from this site.
