Canby Public Library’s Maker Lab is giving local residents a practical reason to trade screen time for creative time this October.

The lab is built around a simple idea: people learn more confidently when they can try tools, make projects and exchange ideas with others.

This month’s calendar leans into that spirit with art, technology and a Halloween-themed project for teens.

A spooky project for teen makers

The standout seasonal activity is Cemeterrarium, scheduled for Saturday, October 24, from 1:30 to 3 p.m.

Teens ages 10 through 18 can build a miniature spooky terrarium using 3-D printed gravestones, ghosts and ghouls.

Registration is required, and participants must have a signed Maker Lab waiver on file before entering the space.

That paperwork is worth handling before event day, particularly for minors whose forms need a parent or guardian signature.

The project blends design, storytelling and hands-on construction without demanding that participants arrive as experienced artists.

For teens who enjoy Halloween décor, miniatures or figuring out how objects are made, it is an inviting entry point into the broader maker world.

More than one afternoon

The Maker Lab hosts several events each month and is intended as a place where community members can explore tools, learn techniques and share knowledge.

October listings also include opportunities such as 3-D pen design and an open art lab, with registration required for scheduled sessions.

Because dates and space can change, residents should check the current library calendar before making plans.

The library’s larger October lineup adds other low-cost ways to participate, including a monthlong cryptid scavenger hunt for all ages and a spice club for adults while supplies last.

The common thread is participation: visitors are invited to search, taste, design or build rather than simply watch.

Why the waiver matters

Signed waivers have been required for Maker Lab events since June 1, 2026.

The rule applies to anyone entering the lab or using its equipment, and separate forms are available for adults and for minors or adults who require a caretaker.

Completing the correct form in advance can prevent a disappointing delay at the door.

Families who are unsure which document they need can contact library staff before registering.

Plan your visit

The library is located at 220 NE 2nd Avenue in Canby.

Regular hours are Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the building closed on Sundays.

Participants should note that the library is also scheduled to close for staff training on October 13.

The Maker Lab’s community value goes beyond any single craft because it gives young people access to creative technology and a place to learn beside others.

It is exactly the sort of local space where curiosity can become a finished project.

For Cemeterrarium, reserve a place, complete the waiver and arrive ready to build a tiny haunted landscape that can go home at the end of the session.

For everything else, keep an eye on the current calendar because the lab’s event mix is designed to keep changing.

Participants do not need to bring a finished idea, but arriving with a few questions can help staff point them toward the right tools and techniques.

Wearing clothes that can handle glue, soil or paint is also sensible, because the best maker sessions usually leave behind at least a little evidence of the work.