The third annual Makers Market will be held on Saturday, Oct. 21, at the Strasburg-Heisler Library, 143 Precision Ave., Strasburg. The event will run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and it will feature a variety of vendors who will sell handmade items and artwork.

Vendors will be stationed both inside the library and outside on the lawn. Those who will set up on the lawn are encouraged to bring their own tents and displays. Volunteers from the library will assist vendors with parking and unloading their vehicles. Vendors may visit http://www.strasburglibrary.org to register until the day of the event.

Lunch will be available to purchase from the library, and refreshments will be offered by Joe on the Go Coffee Co. The library's regular services will not be available on the day of the market.

The Makers Market will exclusively feature vendors who sell items that have been made by hand, such as wooden puzzles, beaded jewelry, candles, hand-sewn children's clothes, watercolor paintings, birdhouses and origami crafts. One vendor will return to sell accessorized tote bags as a fundraiser for the library; last year, tote bag sales generated over $300 to benefit library programs. "The idea of the Makers Market came about as a way to show our community members that its library is a place for them to connect with others and share ideas," said Kristin Fernitz, director of the library. "There are many talented people who seek an opportunity to talk about their passions. We're just giving them a place to do that."

The library created the Makers Market to engage the community and to show local residents that it doesn't only offer books. The event has steadily grown in the number of vendors and shoppers each year, providing opportunities for artists to not only sell their work, but also to teach attendees about their process. "The library is a place for education, learning and sharing. This is just another way to share," said Fernitz. "Many vendors like to talk to customers and explain how they make their pieces. It's a jumping-off point for people to learn something new while appreciating the artwork."

In addition to the Makers Market, the library is preparing to offer multiple programs and events this fall. Although many early childhood programs will be available, the library will also hold adult programs such as a sewing class in October and a trivia night in November. At the end of September, library staff members will operate a booth at the West Lampeter Community Fair to offer information on the library's many programs.