Drums, boom whackers, and percussion instruments have been bringing a cacophony of joy to the Estevan Public Library (EPL) this week. Ordered in from the Southeast Regional Library headquarters in Weyburn, this Percussion Instrument MakerSpace Kit encourages users to explore music, learn about sound, and make some noise at the library. 

MakerSpace Kits were introduced to the Southeast Regional Library system as an in-house resource for programmers to enhance the variety of free community programs the libraries host. The goal of the MakerSpace movement is to "create something out of nothing and explore your interests", as explained on MakerSpace.com. The EPL has actively used these kits in their programs in the past, but for the first time, a MakerSpace kit is being made available for public use. 

Christine Batke, the Children's Programmer at the Estevan Public Library, shares that "we've decided because we use [the kit] in our Toddler Time and Story Time, that we would open it up a little bit more to the public. People can come in this week and check it out anytime before noon." 

Batke also adds that, although traditionally a quiet place, the EPL strives to strike a balance between providing a welcoming environment for patrons wishing to study and an exciting place for program-goers. "It's sometimes a bit noisy," she comments with a chuckle but adds that it is for this reason that the EPL staff have limited the access to the percussion instruments. 

The instruments are available for use anytime this week before noon and can be found at the Estevan Public Library.