Educators and librarians from across the region will be invited to the Waccamaw Library March 10 to learn about the library’s success incorporating a laser cutter into programming. Participants will also have a chance to practice using the library’s new laser cutter and create their own laser engraved ornaments.
The event will be part of ShushCon, the library’s annual convention dedicated to “gaming and geekery.” ShushCon will take place March 10-12, is family-friendly and all activities are free.
In addition to tea dueling, Deluxe Catan and the roleplaying game Fiasco, opening day will feature the laser cutter workshop for professionals who may be interested in incorporating a laser cutter into their own programming or lesson plans. The workshop is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
“It’s part of Trade Day, which is when we teach the tricks of our trade -- cool stuff we do at the library,” said Donald Dennis, ShushCon organizer and games, technology and teen services librarian for the Georgetown County Library system.
The library has talked about its laser cutter more briefly at previous events. “They were so excited by it,” Dennis said. “And since we got a new laser cutter over the past year, we decided we’d make laser cutting the focus of Trade Day this year.”
Trade Day is usually attended by anywhere from 15-40 professionals from across the state.
Dennis said the library’s first laser cutter “breathed new life into the kinds of projects we could offer our patrons, especially during the pandemic. It also facilitated quite a bit of team building with the library staff.”
That’s some of what Dennis and others will talk about on Trade Day as they also teach the basics of using laser cutters/engravers. Activities will focus on CO2 lasers, such as the Thunder Laser and Glowforge, but will also cover the values of fiber lasers and the potential dangers of diode lasers.
The general public will also be able to get in on the laser cutting fun with an event on the last day of ShushCon that will allow them to make their own laser cut dice boxes.
Other highlights of this year’s ShushCon will include a local history escape room; Super Smash Bros., Mario Kart and Dune Imperium tournaments; a swap meet; meeple painting; and a Savage Worlds roleplaying session. There will also be several play-to-win opportunities, in which participants can try out a game and if they like it, register for a chance to take the game home.
Whether you’re an experienced gamer or a new one, ShushCon is a great opportunity to try games, find games you like and find other gamers to game with, Dennis said.
For more information and a full schedule of events, visit Shushcon.com.