Mike:
An interesting idea, especially since we hear from younger modelers all the time about the high cost of things like airbrushes ...
On that topic, I suppose you could have separate areas for drying so as not to tie up the booths; my question is how do you make sure the brushes get properly cleaned?
The reference library is a good idea ... maybe that could be set up in conjunction with your local library and advertised as a special attraction? That way you can gauge response without much of the risk, and you have the services of professional librarians.
In fact the local library here in my town runs craft clinics and similar things during the summer ... if you can find a way to handle the solvents maybe they can help you run a build clinic?
A couple of years ago two of us set up an R/C airplane club in town, the town provided a free meeting room. What we did was have everyone bring their planes to the meetings and discuss how to proceed to the next step of construction, and we ran clinics on radios, engines, etc.
if you do something like that then the toxic stuff stays home and people bring their models, kind of like a show-and-tell, where they can get advice and encouragement.
You might be onto something. There are do it yourself garages in town here (bring your own tools and rent the bays, lifts, and other specialty items), do it yourself dog washing places (bring the dog bring/buy the soap, use their tubs, dryers and whatnot ... the list gets longer all the time.
Best of luck, I'm all in favour of anything to keep our younger modelers interested.
Bruce