3D Printers in the Academic Library

3-D Printing in the Academic Library

Jessica Cohen

MLIS 7505

4 June 2014

Introduction

            Imagine looking at a picture of a shoe from the 1600s and being able to create a small-scale replica of said shoe for display.  Imagine researching the history of the Triceratops and being able to see and hold a hard plastic version of the skeleton.  Imagine preparing for an anatomy exam and having in your hands a small model of individual organs to use while studying the name of each part.  This, and more, is all possible in an academic setting with the use of 3D printing.  A continually improving technology since the1970s, 3D printing creates a physical object using what is called an additive process, the successive layering of materials laid down in different shapes, controlled by a computer (3D Printing 2014).  Printers are available for anyone from hobbyists to large corporations, costing between 400 hundred and many thousands of dollars (WestpotPubLib 2013). 

In the news clip from CBS Channel 3’s Dan Kain report, 3d Printers at the Wesport Library, librarian, Maxine Bleiweis calls 3D printing “disruptive technology,” stating that “disruptive technology means it’s going to make a big difference in our world.”  She also states that “probably in the 80s you didn’t expect to find personal computers either, but libraries are the perfect place.”  While certainly exciting and still relatively new, to the public, form of technology, the question remains, how can 3D printing be used in an academic library and is it worth purchasing a mid to high quality 3D printer for students and faculty?

Literature Review

            Currently there is very little literature on 3D printing in academic libraries.  Certainly, 3D printing is seen as an exciting and successful technology for our future, but as the video, Leaders of the 3D Printing Evolution, created by The Creators Project, suggests, 3D printing is currently seen as a medical tool, fashion creation instrument, or simply an artist’s drawing board.  There is little information provided on how 3D printing can benefit and even help evolve the academic setting, however, what I have been able to find, has been useful and encouraging. 

            Some articles have looked to the future to predict the success of multiple types of technology in library settings.  Marshall Breeding, in “The Systems Librarian; Library Technology Forecast for 2014 and Beyond,” suggests that “3D printing has gathered considerable attention in the library arena, with many including these devices within their services for promoting patron creativity and collaboration.”  Breeding makes note of makerspaces and the use of this new open-access type of technologies encouraging patron participation and library use. 

Other articles spoke specifically to the ability for 3D printers to excite and improve (even in some case financially) person’s futures.  Marcia Goodrich discusses a “3D future, without special glasses” in her article “It’s Not Just a New Way to Make Cellphone Cases. 3D Printing Could Change Everything.”  Goodrich discusses the financial savings even homeowners can find, as well as, the numerous innovation possibilities outside of simple plastic 3D printing.  Using the example of a Michigan Tech scientist creating an affordable 3D metal printer, Goodrich touches on the importance of open access in the positive relation to the success of such devices. 

Numerous articles discussed the rollouts of 3D printers in personal academic libraries; the planning, rolling out, evaluation, and future planning.  The Dalhousie University Libraries, in the article “Exploring New Dimensions,” found the process to be fairly simple and worth ordering multiple printers to offer more access to users.  They found that the printers were being used, “approximately three hundred models for more than 150 people,” and that users covered fields including “engineering and architecture […], chemistry, biology, and history” (Comeau 2014).  They, along with all other articles, view 3D printing as an asset and a great fit for the academic library.

Use of 3-D Printing in Libraries

As I initially considered 3D printing, I believed that it might be harder to find a use for such a printer outside of a science department.  Further reading and watching of videos, I’ve determined that this form of technology can be so useful for all sorts of disciplines.  Design students would have the obvious ability to create tangible displays of drawings and ideas.  History students and faculty can see visual representations of clothing, weapons, and buildings.  Even students of the arts and writing can print and see a tangible form of their work, leading to further creative pieces or added emphasis on the 2D presentation (Kurt 2012).  By bringing 3D printers to the library, you essentially bring learning back to the stacks.  Though learning has been ever present in libraries, as time goes on and students have more access to materials and information on what they are studying online, the desire to go to the library shrinks, the need for dusty books or reference assistance wanes.  3D printing could lure students back in, creating relationships and expanding research. 

Application in Today’s Libraries

In today’s libraries, 3D printing can most commonly be found in makerspacers.  Makerspacers, also known as hacklabs, hackerspaces, or hackspaces, are workspaces operated by the community and consist of people with common interests, typically science and technology or computers (Makerspaces 2014).  Though still fairly new to the library scene, a makerspace, and ultimately 3D printing, are perfect fits for libraries; “libraries have been in the ‘making’ space for a long time.  We have supported writers and learners with writing labs and training […]” (Abram 2014).  Makerspaces are a perfect location for 3D printers as they can bring together people of all ages with all backgrounds and interests in the name of learning and hands on experimenting.  3D printing has the ability to also allow physical displays of student and faculty work, which could lead to even more exposure for the entire institution.

Challenges and Issues

The obvious challenges and issues with 3D printing is cost, maintenance, and use.  While a hobbyist could save and purchase a $400 self-made printer, libraries will typically want to purchase a mid to higher end model for shear endurance through use alone.  The printer at the Wesport library, mentioned previously, owns a 3D printer which cost $2,500.  Most budgets simply don’t have the room for one single $2,500 printer and it will take great convincing and proving of worth (or enticing) to gain this funding.  Schools with strong programs in the sciences might not think twice about purchasing this technology, while smaller colleges or those with heavy focuses in the arts might question the need.  Another monetary related challenge is whether or not to charge students for use of the printer.  While charging students would help keep regular costs of running the printer down, it might also deter actual use. 

Maintenance and regular instruction can also be a problem.  Staff and librarians should be trained on how to use the printer, and preferably how to do general maintenance, however, how much time will most librarians have to walk a student through a full tutorial on use?  This lack of instruction could lead to fewer patrons wanting to actually try the printer, connecting to the other challenge 3D printing might face: actual use of the technology.  Though 3D printing can be an added bonus to any field of study, “many students still may not see how the technology can help their scholarship or be used in their research” (Pryor 2014).  This last point brings us full circle, if students aren’t using the 3D printer, how can the printer be justified for funding?

Conclusion

3D printing absolutely fascinates me.  Once this semester ends and time is again on my side, I plan to find one close to me so that I may see it in action.  While I struggle to see this type of printing entering the personal homes of users in a mainstream fashion, simply because of cost and today’s economy, I do believe that in the next 5-15 years or so, many universities will have their own printer(s) that will be sought after by faculty and students.  The research shows that even though it is a slow moving phenomenon in the academic setting, there is justification for its use and an interest in the technology.  Funding challenges will forever be present regarding anything new in a library however; this technology could in fact bring financial success through use, expanding research to broader audiences, and obtainment of grants due to forward thinking missions and programs. 

References

3D Printing. In Wikipedia. Retrieved June 2, 2014, from

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3D_Printing.

Abram, S. (2014). The Maker Movement and the Library Movement: Understanding the

Makerspaces Opportunity. Feliciter, 60(1), 11.

Breeding, m. (2013). The Systems Librarian. Computers in Libraries, 33(10), 18-21.

Comeau, M. (2014). Exploring New Dimensions. Feliciter, 60(1), 28.

Goodrich, M. (2014). 3D Revolution. Research (Michigan Technological University), 8-11.

Kurt, L. (2012, July 17) 3D Printers in the Library: Toward a Fablab in the Academic Library. 

Retrieved from http://acrl.ala.org/techconnect/?p=1403.

Makerspaces. In Wikipedia. Retrieved June 2, 2014, from

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Makerspaces.

Pryor, S. (2014). Implementing a 3D Printing Service in an Academic Library. Journal Of

Library Administration, 54(1), 1-10.

The Creators Project. (2013, January 13) Leaders of the 3D Printing Revolution [Video File].

Retrieved from http://youtu.be/IS4Xw8f9LCc.

WestportPubLib. (2013, March 16) 3D Printers at the Westport Library – Dan Kain – CBS –

Channel 3… [Video File].  Retrieved from http://youtu.be/sA0uz36D_RM.