The document discusses establishing a policy for the Carson City Library's new 3D printers, including introducing patrons to innovative technologies, only allowing lawful uses, and providing examples of other library 3D printing policies which restrict prohibited content and set procedures for design submission and cost recovery.

1. LIBRARY BOARD OF
TRUSTEE MEETING
5/26/2016

2. WHY?
Want: Introduce the community to
innovative and creative technologies but
restrict unlawful use of these technologies
within the library.
• Provider of access.
• Reignite interest in the library.
• Emphasis on STEAM

3. WHAT
• Additive Manufacturing
• STL file format – a type of CAD file
• Invented in 1984 by Chuck Hull of 3D
Systems
• Available for commercial use 2010+
• Build or download a 3D Model
• Printer extrudes molten plastic – like a
glue gun.

4. INDUSTRY/HOBBIES/ART/MEDIC
AL
• Cars – Local Motors, Las Vegas, NV
• Foodini – Burgers, pizza, chocolate and
more
• Models – for academia and museum –
touch history!
• Medical – humans and animals
• Entrepreneurship – square started as a 3D
printed prototype!

5. 3D PRINTING
Definitions
– 3D Printing: the process of making a physical
object from a digital model.
– 3D Printer: A 3D printer uses melted plastic to
produce objects designed on a computer.
– CAD: Computer Assisted Drawing

6. PURPOSE
The Carson City Library wishes to introduce
patrons to innovative and maker
technologies within the library. This policy
establishes rules in which the Carson City
Library’s 3D printers can be used.

7. POLICY
Example: Sacramento Public Library
• The Library’s 3D printers are available to the public to make three-dimensional objects in
plastic using a design that is uploaded from a digital computer file.
• The Library’s 3D printers may be used only for lawful purposes. The public will not be
permitted to use the Library’s 3D printers to create material that is:
– Prohibited by local, state or federal law.
– Unsafe, harmful, dangerous or poses an immediate threat to the well-being of others. (Such use
may violate the terms of use of the manufacturer.)
– Obscene or otherwise inappropriate for the Library environment.
– In violation of another’s intellectual property rights. For example, the printers will not be used to
reproduce material that is subject to copyright, patent or trademark protection.
• The Library reserves the right to refuse any 3D print request.
• Cost: 3D printing at the Library is currently free, thanks to a grant from the Library Services
and Technology Act, administered in California by the State Librarian. It is anticipated that a
fee will be charged in the future to cover the printing costs upon expiration of the grant.
• Items printed from Library 3D printers that are not picked up within 7 days will become
property of the Library. Items must be picked up by the individual who printed them.
• Only designated Library staff and volunteers will have hands-on access to the 3D printer.

8. POLICY
Example: Keene Public Library
15.001 3D printers are being used for educational, workshop, and programming purposes to make
three-dimensional objects in plastic using a design that is uploaded from a digital computer
file.
15.002 The Library's 3D printers may be used only for lawful purposes. Users will not be permitted to
use the Library's 3D printers to create material that is:
(a) Prohibited by local, state or federal law.
(b)
Unsafe, harmful, dangerous, poses an immediate threat to the well-being of others, or is
otherwise inappropriate for the Library environment. (Such use may also violate the terms of
use of the manufacturer.)
(c)
In violation of another's intellectual property rights. For example, the printers will not be used
to reproduce material that is subject to copyright, patent or trademark protection.
15.003 The Library reserves the right to refuse any 3D print request.
15.004
Supervision of the use of the 3D printer by Library staff does not constitute knowledge, or
acknowledgement, of any unapparent final use of the 3D product, and the Library specifically
disclaims any knowledge thereof.

9. PROCEDURES
Example: Sacramento Public Library
• The procedure for printing from the Library’s 3D printers is as follows:
• Design creation:
– The 3D printer can be used with basic knowledge of Computer Assisted Drawing (CAD). Creating a
new design requires an advanced knowledge of 3D modeling software products. Video tutorials that
accompany CAD programs can be of assistance.
– Any 3D drafting software may be used to create a design as long as the file can be saved in .stl,
.obj, or .thing file format.
– The Library has computers with AutoCAD and Photoshop software that may be used to create a
design.
– Digital designs also are available from various file-sharing databases such as Thingiverse.com.
• Submitting a design for printing:
– Persons wanting to use the 3D printer shall bring their file (in .stl, .obj, or .thing file format) (no
larger than 25MB) to the DesignSpot during open hours. Staff will add the model to the printing
queue.
– If there is high demand, the Library will schedule only one print per day per person or entity.
– The files will be readied for printing in MakerWare or other authorized software. The Library will
view all files in MakerWare or other authorized software before printing.
– Wait/pickup time: Items may be picked up at the DesignSpot. It is sometimes difficult to estimate
exact print times. Library staff will make an educated guess about the length of a job upon request.
• Please note that procedures governing the use of the Library’s 3D printers are subject to
change.

10. PROCEDURES
For posting at printer locations –
Adapted from the language at library copy machines:

11. COST RECOVERY
Sacramento Public:
Cost: 3D printing at the Library is currently free, thanks to a grant from the Library Services and
Technology Act, administered in California by the State Librarian. It is anticipated that a fee will be
charged in the future to cover the printing costs upon expiration of the grant.
De La Mare Library:
Cost Guide: http://guides.library.unr.edu/c.php?g=51275&p=331709
Ottawa Public Library:
Employee Calculates Cost
MakerBot at Metrix:
$0.30/minute
Library Recommended Cost for Cost Recovery of Materials and Staff
Time:
Premiere Library Card Holders:
• $0.15/minute
• # grams * $ for spool/1000 = $ Cost for plastic + $1.00/hr for staff time
• (whichever is lower)
Library Sponsored Programs: No Cost

12. Sena Loyd
Library Director
775-887-2244 x7591
sloyd@carson.org
QUESTIONS?
SUGGESTIONS?
COMMENTS?
CONCERNS?