In 2012, the Community Library invested in its first 3D printer. Today, it has an active public printing service and conducts forty 3D printing programs annually. Learn how we got started, where our journey took us and the lessons we learned. There will be a discussion of both 3D printing and 3D scanning. This presentation will examine developing services for the public, creating interactive displays and conducting programs for children, teens and adults.
4. Two schools of thought when selecting a 3D
printer
Analytical Approach
Have you considered how you intend to use
your printer?
Have you read reviews on sites like 3D Hubs?
Have you considered what staff expertise
exists at your organization?
Have you considered how a particular printer
aligns with your mission statement?
Emotional Approach
Do you have a coupon?
7. We studied up on the hardware
Establish a point person & assign responsibilities
Learn the basic operation of the printer
Engage in troubleshooting
Determine best practices
10. We developed programs for all ages
Lecture style classes
What is 3D printing?
Printing demonstrations
Hands-on design classes
Instruction with different software
Design and print your own object
42. What Went Wrong?
A lot of time was spent teaching the software
Designs weren’t always printable
Classes required minimum of 1½ hours
Projects weren’t always completed in time
Multi-session classes were problematic
Inconsistent attendance
44. Structure of the 3D Print Club
Meets twice a month for 1½ hours
Individuals pursue their own interests,
occasional group projects
Designs are printed in miniature—
good or bad
Improvements are made to
unsuccessful prints
47. 3D Printing Art Show
Held twice a year
Participants of the club built a portfolio,
which was then printed on cardstock
One of their prints would be rendered HUGE—
approximately a 10-hour print
Works would be displayed for the evening in a
gallery, then taken home
Used to recruit new members!
51. What is the Hand Challenge?
Library partnered with e-NABLE and the
Prosthetic Kids Hand Challenge to create
open-source assistive limb devices.
Library purchased kits & 3D-printed the parts
Our community volunteered their time to
assemble the prosthetics over two days.
68. William Floyd, in brief:
Signer of the Declaration
of Independence
Locally famous.
School holds an annual birthday celebration
with our Library.
Never smiles.
69. A Local Artist Donates A Sculpture of Floyd
The artist, William Lauer, grants us permission to 3D scan
the piece and make modifications to the file.
Our colleagues at Sachem Library allow us to use their
Next Engine scanner.
We then modify the scan using TinkerCAD to create a
keychain.
Attendees of the birthday celebration are given one
as a keepsake.
75. We Began by Developing a 3D Print Policy
with the library’s attorney.
Establish printing costs.
Prohibition on weapons, hate speech.
Respect for copyright.
Right of refusal.
79. We decided to employ a marketing plan for
the public print service
Created an interactive display
Presented to the Chamber of Commerce and
school district.
Engaged in storytelling on social media
Development of a printing resource guide
Utilized pop culture.
86. Shameless Plug
"Libraries that are not yet offering
digital services would be well served
by Tanzi's book. Those wishing to
enhance patron experiences with
digital resources are guaranteed to
find inspiration.”
--Lydia Olszak, Library Journal
*Starred Review*