Welcome to Lowell Makes! We are a nonprofit collective of builders, artists, artisans and makers who have come together with the goal of creating while using shared space, tools and knowledge. The following packet will help you learn the practices and expectations here at LM. It will also serve as a handy reference should you have questions during your time as a member. Thank you for joining our hello community and we are happy to have you on board!

Lowell Makes Contact Info

Hours: 24/7, 365

Phone #: 978-905-8123 (please email for a faster response, this is a voicemail line)

Email: [email protected]

Address: 130 Western Avenue, Lowell, MA 01851

Open House:

Wednesdays 6-8pm

All members and prospective members are invited to visit, get a tour and get signed up or onboarded. The shops are available for viewing during this time, but are not available for non-members to use.

Getting Started

In this packet we’ll go through the simple steps to get you set up and ready to start making!

1. Get Onboarded - That’s what’s happening now! Read over this packet, familiarize yourself with the policies and possibilities here at LM. Getting on-boarded includes the following:
   1. Read the Onboarding and Orientation Packet
   2. Read and sign the Waiver of Liability and the Lowell Makes Membership Agreement
   3. Get your RFID key fob for LM access
2. Get Connected - Now it’s time to start connecting with your fellow members!  We have two main sources for members to find information: Basecamp, our internal communications tool, and Nexudus, our Member Portal.
   1. Review the resources on the Lowell Makes Nexudus Member Portal
   2. Check out our classes and events
   3. Get invited to Basecamp. Any member can invite any other member.
   4. Join Shop Teams on Basecamp
3. Get Checked Out in the Shops - Each shop has a different check-out process. This is where you can show your proficiency with the tools and learn about shop expectations. If you need help or training, you can either schedule time with the Shop Captain for an orientation or take a class, depending on the tool and the shop.
   1. See page 4 for a list of all shops and tools that require a check out
   2. Schedule time with the Shop Captain to learn about a shop’s rules and safety.
   3. Sign up for a class or one-on-one session with the Shop Captain for any tools that are unfamiliar to you.

Logistics

Parking - Parking is allowed anywhere in the LM lot with the exception of a few marked spaces. Parking on the street is allowed until 10pm. To avoid being towed on the street, move your car to the lot before 10pm.

We will reach out via email and Basecamp when there are further parking restrictions due to weather or events. Snow plowing will also be noted in Basecamp, as it requires that all vehicles be moved to the upper lot so the plows can get through.

Kitchen - Keep the kitchen clean! All food must be labeled with name and date. Do not take food that is not explicitly made available. You are responsible for washing your dishes and putting them away. If the trash can is full, take out the trash.

Bathrooms - Help keep the bathrooms clean - we are a shared facility. If a bathroom is out of supplies (soap, toilet paper, etc), you can resupply from the cabinet outside the Paint spray room. If the cabinet is missing what you need, please let OPs know. If something is broken in the bathroom, please let OPs know ([email protected]).

Garbage and recycling - Our dumpster is located inside the loading bay (black dumpster). Garbage cans from all shops and common spaces should be emptied into the dumpster. You are responsible for taking out the trash if it’s full. NO PERSONAL DUMPING! And no items outside the dumpster. Place a new trash bag in the garbage cans. Trash bags can be found in the supply cabinet outside the Paint spray room.