The Educators Lab at the Children’s Library was designed to support early childhood educators working with children ages birth through grade 3. We recognize educators as parents, caregivers, daycare providers, and teachers who work with all age groups.

The Educators Lab is a place to create learning materials and other items for educational purposes. We have a variety of equipment available including Ellison Dies, laminators, binding machines, and more.

Schools, child development centers, homeschool families, and college classes are welcome to schedule trainings, hold staff meetings, and other events in the Educators Lab.

Educators must complete an equipment orientation before scheduling an appointment to use the Educators Lab. Call 330.643.9050 or check in at the Children's Library to schedule an orientation.

All users must call in advance to schedule an appointment before using the Educators Lab.

Contact the Children’s Library & Teen Division at 330.643.9050 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with questions and to find out how you can start using the Educators Lab.

Lab Hours

Monday-Thursday: 10 am – 7 pm
Friday: 10 am – 5 pm
Saturday: 10 am – 4 pm

The Educators Lab is available to book for classes, trainings, and meetings before, during, and after regular hours.

Lab Equipment

Ellison Die Cut Machines

  • 3” and 5” alphabet dies both upper and lower case.
  • 3” and 8” number dies.
  • Over 400 assorted shapes.
  • Educators are welcome to bring their own paper, felt, and foam for the Ellison Machines.
  • Ellison Die Cuts list available online.

Laminating Machines

  • Small and large laminators including pouches and film up to 40”.
  • Laminating pouches: 50 cents per pouch.
  • Laminating film: $1.00 per linear foot.
  • Drop-off service only, please allow 2 working days.

Binding Machine

  • Two comb sizes available: small (90 pages), large (250 pages).
  • 60 cents per comb.

Basic Office Equipment (including Paper Cutter And Copier)

  • Copies: B&W, 5 cents per page. Color, 25 cents per page.

Projector And Screen

  • For meetings and trainings.

Educators Lab pricing and equipment subject to change. Pricing does not include sales tax.

Additional Learning Materials

Parent Teacher Collection
Includes books covering a variety of subject areas and activities to enhance learning activities.

Library Of Things
A collection of Educational Kits and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) Kits in the Children’s Library. These kits include learning materials for a variety of ages, such as felt board stories and rhymes, musical instruments, parachutes, snap circuits, and building kits. More details at the Library of Things webpage.

Books In Boxes
Sets of 35 copies of one title for use in kindergarten through 6 grade classrooms. Sets are reserved through the Children’s Library by calling 330-643-9050 and can be picked up at any library location. The loan period is 6 weeks.

Educators Page
A one-stop location of resources for educators on the ASCPL website. Resources include current booklists to download and share with students, databases for homework help, science project ideas and information, details on Teen Classroom sets, Books in Boxes, STEM and Educational Kits, access to Tutor.com and Dial-a-Story, and more.

Our Mission: The Akron-Summit County Public Library provides resources for learning and leisure, information services, meeting spaces, and programs for all ages that support, improve, and enrich individual, family, and community life.