We do not have a Cricut at our library, but as an avid user of a Silhouette Cameo (very similar to a Cricut), I would say this:
1. If it’s available to the public, expect lots of questions. Even experienced users need help with more settings sometimes, like tracing photographs for cutting.
2. Have patrons buy their own vinyl and/or cardstock. It can get expensive. Place signs explaining what can be cut or you may have a patron try to bring in something too thick for the machine to cut, causing damage.
3. Be aware that wear and tear on the machine will be high with people trying to figure it out. I would have multiple blades available; at least one for card stock and one for vinyl since the card stock one will wear the blade out much faster.
4. Joanne’s usually offers Cricut classes in case a staff member wants to attend to learn the machine.
5. See if you have a local vinyl shop as they can be helpful; we have a local shop here in Grand Rapids and we love them!
6. The Cricut can be a wonderful tool…. If you know how to use it! I love my cutting machine… I make just about everything, all the way from shirts to stencils for glass etching to wood signs!
Good luck!
Kathleen
--
Kathleen Shaffer
Gary Byker Library
kshaffer@hudsonville.org
616.669.1255 M/Th
We have a Sizzix that is available for anyone to use, in the library. A Cricut was donated to us last year, with a ton of stuff for it. We have a scrapbook club that meets here, and some of the ladies showed us how to use it, but basically, as with the Sizzix, it's just available here for people to use with their own materials.
Marian Volek
West Iron District Library
Iron River, Michigan
We have one for staff use and LOVE it! So much so, that I bought one for my self. Our Friends of the Library purchased it about a year ago. We have the Cricut Maker. We use it regularly for cutting name tags, crafts, vinyl for our library walls, and iron-ons for staff shirts. IF we were to make it available for public use, I would suggest that patrons bring their own material and create their own Cricut account to make the design. I would ask that they schedule an appointment with a trained staff person. It can be tricky to use and I don't feel it's something anyone could just walk in and figure out. There are a variety of mats, blades and markers that are required if you want to be able to cut multiple material types. Good luck! If you do decide to offer the service, I would love to hear how it goes. Thanks!
We have 2 Cricuts, both model Explore Air 2. We've held two successful programs (15 attendees at a teen-only one and 50+ at a teen and adult one), but we do not loan it out for patron use. During the program, we had me give an introduction to the parts of the Cricut and how it works, then I used the machine to cut a personalized item out of vinyl (sticky decals and iron-on) for each person. If you'd like any more details of our program, let me know!
Stacey Comfort
Youth Reference Librarian
Dexter District Library
3255 Alpine Street
Dexter, Michigan 48130
(734) 426-4477