Developing and implementing 3D printing services in an academic library

The purpose of this paper is to describe the development of a 3D printing pilot project and 3D printing library service. Policy development, instruction, and best practices will be shared and explored.

This paper describes the implementation of 3D printing at the University of Regina Library and details successes, failures, and modifications made to better provide 3D printing services. This paper outlines one academic library’s experience and solutions to offering 3D printing for university patrons.

Although 3D printing has been around for a while, it still requires trial and error and experience in order to print successfully. Training and instruction is needed to run the 3D printer and understand how to develop 3D objects that will print successfully.

There have been many publications on 3D printing, but few that discuss problem solving, best practices, and policy development. 3D printing provides a way for patrons to learn about new technology and use that technology to help support learning.