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Metuchen Public Library

3D Printer Policy

The Library desires to offer community access to new and emerging technologies such as 3D printers to inspire a new interest in design and help the community to bring their creations to life. This policy establishes how and under what circumstances the public may use the Library’s 3D printer.

POLICY

The Library’s 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.

  1. The Library’s 3D printer may be used only for lawful purposes. The public will not be permitted to use the Library’s 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. For example, the printer will not be used to reproduce material that is subject to copyright, patent, or trademark protection.
  2. The Library reserves the right to refuse any 3D print request.
  3. Cost of 3D printing is $0.10 per 0.1 meter of regular filaments; $0.15 per 0.1 meter of glow-in-the-dark filaments.
  4. Printing must be prepaid at the Main Service Desk.
  5. Person who comes to pick up the printed items must present the library card entered on the “Metuchen Makery 3D Printing Request” form.
  6. Item printed from the Library’s 3D printer that is not picked up within 7 days after notification will become property of the Library.
  7. Only designated Library staff and volunteers will have hands-on access to the 3D printer.

PROCEDURES

The procedure for printing from the Library’s 3D printers is as follows:

  1. Design creation:
    • Any 3D drafting software may be used to create a design as long as the file can be saved in .stl file format.
    • Digital designs also are available from various file-sharing databases such as Thingiverse.com.
  2. Submitting a design for printing:
    • Persons wanting to use the 3D printer shall bring their file in .stl format (no larger than 25MB) to the Metuchen Makery during its open hours. Staff of the Metuchen Makery 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 authorized software. The Library will view all files in authorized software before printing.
    • Wait/pickup time: Items may be picked up at the Main Service Desk. It is sometimes difficult to estimate exact print times. Library staff/volunteers will make an educated guess about the length of a job upon request.
  3. Please note that procedures governing the use of the Library’s 3D printers are subject to change.

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.

1st Reading 10/13/2015

2nd Reading and Adopted 11/10/2015