3D Printer Policy

Fitzwilliam Town Library

3D Printer Policy

Purpose

The Fitzwilliam Town Library strives to offer community access to new and emerging technologies. The 3D printer is intended to inspire a new interest in design and give patrons the means to bring their creations to life. The 3D printer is available to the public to make three-dimensional objects in plastic using a design that is uploaded from a digital computer file.

The 3D printer may be used only for lawful purposes; the public will not be permitted to use the 3D printer 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.
    • Obscene or otherwise inappropriate for the Library environment.
    • In violation of another’s intellectual property rights. The printer may not be used to reproduce material subject to copyright, patent, or trademark protection.

    The Library reserves the right to refuse any 3D printer request.

    Only designated Library staff will have direct access to the printer. No patron shall use the 3D printer prior to completing the 3D Printer Agreement and receiving a 3D printer introduction at the Library.

    Access to the 3D printer may be revoked at any time by Library Staff.

    The current fee of 3D printing is $1/hr, but subject to change as the Library sees fit.

    Items printed from the 3D printer 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.

    Procedure
    The procedure for printing from the Library’s 3D printer is as follows:
     
    1. Design creation:

    1. Digital designs are available from various file-sharing databases such as Thingiverse.com. Files can be downloaded at the Library or brought to the Library on a flash drive.
    2. Patrons may also bring to the Library their own designs. The Library’s 3D printer can print files saved as .stl. Currently, the Library does not have the resources to support the creation of unique designs.
    3. Library staff will be happy to assist certified users of the 3D printer as time permits. The Library staff has limited availability to provide this assistance on demand.

     
     
    2. Printing a design:
     

    1. Patrons wishing to use the 3D printer will schedule an appointment by emailing info@fitzlib.org or calling (603) 585-6503.
    2. If the patron is printing an object for the first time at the Fitzwilliam Town Library, a staff member or volunteer will train the patron in the use of the 3D printer and appointments will be based on staff/volunteer and 3D printer availability.
    3. Files must not be larger than 25MB, must take less than 5 hours to print, and must be completed during normal Library operating hours. If the patron is unable to stay until a print job is completed, a staff member must be notified.
    4. Patrons may see slight imperfections in their prints. Small bumps or holes and rough edges at the base of an object may occur with 3D printing. These imperfections can often be minimized with fine sand paper or other tools.
    5. 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.