EAST PROVIDENCE — If you've yet to experience it for yourself, the Fuller Creative Learning, at the site of the former Fuller Public Library on Dover Avenue in the Kent Heights section of the city, is the words of its coordinator, Ryan McCauley, "thriving... We do so much stuff here."

Indeed, the Fuller Center has emerged as an important conduit for residents of all ages.

Fuller reopened in its current form over seven years ago after it was closed as a working library by the Budget Commission when the city was under state oversight between December 2011 and September 2013,

From domestic programs like cooking and sewing to entertainment opportunities with a recording studio to horticultural activities to raised bed and hydroponic gardens to new-age technological capabilities via a 3D printer and Virtual Reality headsets, Fuller does come pretty close to McCauley's claim of "when I say we cover it all, we cover it all."

The roots of the Fuller Creative Learning Center can be traced back to the city's 2015-16 fiscal year budget when the city manager at the time, the late Paul Lemont, earmarked $125,000 towards its creation. The City Council at the time approved the line item then former director of libraries Eileen Socha and her staff got to work putting a plan into action. Fuller in its current incarnation opened in June of 2016.

McCauley has been at the center since its inception. He remains an enthusiastic organizer of events and booster of the center's place in the community as he was seven years ago.

On a recent night, the offering was a "Meatless Meals" cooking demonstration by city resident John Keevan, who became a vegetarian when his wife Barbara received a cancer diagnosis and his own health was suffering.

Keevan said he shed over 60 pounds and no longer is on any prescribed medications since his family committed to the vegan lifestyle while, of most importance, Barbara is recovering, her cancer in remission.

"What you're seeing going on right now is the goal of what Fuller was supposed to be," McCauley explained as Keevan talked about his meatless tacos and vegetarian baking constructs.

McCauley, noting a majority of instructors are like Keevan, continued, "The person actually leading the program is a patron, part of the East Providence community that is sharing something that he knows. And that's part of our job, to find people who have the skills and are willing to share them with the rest of the community."

About two-dozen residents were in attendance for the "Meatless Meals" demo, which is on par with most events hosted at Fuller.

McCauley said the size of the groups "totally depends on the program. Certain things have to be one-on-one, like the sewing programs we do. We run two different sessions with about 10 people or so in each. That has to be more one-on-one. Some things, though, we've had 40-plus people.

"And something like this (Meatless Meals) we cap at like 25 people. We had people on a waiting list. We have to keep the integrity of the program because we want people to have a good, fun, informative experience. We want them to learn something."

Learning can come in the form of "old" and "new" school techniques. Fuller offers numerous cooking and sewing seminars. For the latter, there are 10 sewing machines available to the public. For the former, there are five raised bed garden where fresh produce like jalapeños, tomatoes, herbs and spices are grown for use those in the cooking demonstrations and to share with the community. The center also recently was able to procure four VR headsets which will offer both educational and entertainment elements for users.

"We've had young people and adults pop in and say they need a sewing machine to finish a dress, and we set them up. It's great. And we're trying to incorporate more tech stuff. It's where learning is headed," McCauley explained. "Obviously books are still very important, but that's where Fuller is very unique and special because we have those things that fill in the gaps."

Fuller is open Monday and Wednesday 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Tuesdays noon-8 and Thursdays and Fridays fluctuate with mostly appointments or specific times for programs.

"The engagement we have for most programs is really good, absolutely fantastic. If a program has that much traction we'll try to run it again or have it a second time," McCauley added. "The engagement is good, but I'm the type of person who always wants to be busier, always wants to do more. That's my job, resourcing for the programs and providing opportunities for our residents."

For more information about the Fuller Learning Center programs, view Calendar of Events at the libraries' website https://www.eastprovidencelibrary.org.