3D Printing: A Practical Guide for Librarians

by Sara Russell Gonzalez, Denise Beaubien Bennett

Overview

Planning and implementing a 3D printing service in a library may seem like a daunting task. Based upon the authors’ experience as early adopters of 3D technology and running a successful 3D printing service at a large academic library, this guide provides the steps to follow when launching a service in any type of library.

Detailed guidance and over 50 graphics provide readers with sage guidance and detailed instructions on:

• planning a proposal
• printer selection tips
• preparing the location
• addressing staff concerns for new service
• developing service workflows and procedures
• managing inevitable disasters
• developing policies
• conducting the “reference interview” for 3D printing
• staff training tips
• outreach activities

This book brings into one place all the guidance you need for developing and implementing a 3D printing service in any library.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781442255487
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	05/08/2016
Series:	Practical Guides for Librarians , #22
Pages:	190
Product dimensions:	8.40(w) x 10.90(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Sara Russell Gonzalez is the Physical Sciences, Mathematics, and Visualization Librarian at the Marston Science Library at the University of Florida. A former geophysicist, her research interests include emerging technologies in libraries, modeling and visualization of data, and scientific literacy instruction. She coordinates the Marston Science Library Visualization room, the MADE@UF software development lab, and the 3D printing service with Denise Bennett.

Denise Beaubien Bennett is an Engineering Librarian Emeritus at the Marston Science Library at the University of Florida. She held many offices in divisions of ALA, including RUSA and RUSA MARS, the ACRL Science and Technology Section, and MARBI. She served as General Editor for ALA's Guide to Reference, and as the Division Editor of its Science, Technology, and Medicine Section. Her research interests include database searching, indexing, and evaluation; science librarianship; evaluation of reference tools; and responsible conduct of research (RCR) training. Her latest service interest is implementing 3D printing in academic libraries.

Table of Contents

List of Illustrations
Preface
Acknowledgments
Chapter 1. 3D Printing and its Applications in Libraries
Chapter 2. 3D Printing and Printers
Chapter 3. Before You Can Print: Getting a Model
Chapter 4. What Makes a Good Printable Model?
Chapter 5. Estimating Expenses and Assessing Your Service
Chapter 6. Developing Your 3D Printing Services
Chapter 7. Policy Development
Chapter 8. Workflow
Chapter 9. Preparation and Staff Training
Chapter 10. Dealing with Difficulties
Chapter 11. Outreach and Marketing
Chapter 12. Looking Ahead
Glossary

Index
About the Authors

Editorial Reviews

Our library has been offering 3D printing to our campus community since the summer of 2014, and boy would this book have been handy when we were getting started! It strikes a balance between offering enough information to get started, but not being overwhelmingly technical. I especially appreciated the inclusion of legal considerations specific to 3D printing.

Deana Brown

"3D Printing: A Practical Guide for Librarians, is a quality synopsis of the application of 3D printing in a service-oriented environment. The authors offer a clear and concise summary of what is required to implement an effective 3D printing service as well as providing the appropriate amount of terminology and background on the technology for their target audience. The work is applicable not only to libraries, but any educational institution seeking to create opportunities for students and patrons to engage with emerging technologies. Most importantly, this work allows for those with no prior to experience in 3D printing to easily grasp the requirements, and make a cogent argument for the development of a 3D printing service."

Cody Behles