Patrick Yott
Associate Dean, Digital Strategies and Services, Libraries
Northeastern University

Terry Ann Jankowski
Assistant Director for User Experience
University of Washington

Tania P. Bardyn
Associate Dean & Director, Health Sciences Library
University of Washington

Paul Ludecke
University of Washington

“3D Printing at Northeastern: The Studio Model” (Yott)

When Northeastern University undertook to integrate 3D printing into the library in the summer of 2013, the goal was to not simply offer a printer or two, but to develop an environment where students, faculty, staff could find an expert staff, a range of printers, scanners, and laser cutters, and a place to experiment with the technology. In November of that year, the 3D Printing Studio opened its doors. Led by an engineer, and staffed by a cadre of work-study and volunteer student “engineers” and “artists,” the studio has worked with a clientele that includes scientists, engineers, artists, health professionals, humanists, romantics, entrepreneurs, and the generally curious. This project update will include information about the planning process, efforts to integrate the studio in the life of the campus, promotional and business models, and future plans.

Presentation (Yott)

“Hearts, Skulls & Molar Containers: The Opportunities and Challenges of 3D Printing Pilot in a Health Sciences Library” (Jankowski, Bardyn, Ludecke)

The University of Washington (UW) Health Sciences Library (HSL) received partial funding from UW’s Student Technology Fund to purchase a MakerBot Replicater 3D printer to offer 3D printing in the library either as a free or fee-based service. The UW HSL serves six schools of health sciences, three teaching hospitals, and a network of clinics, as well as the wider UW interdisciplinary biomedical community. Together, we planned and implemented the service campus-wide with priority for service going to health sciences students and class assignments. A white paper, by the Associate Dean & Library Director helped garner faculty support for a fee-based service among the health sciences schools. A technology staff member managed the technical aspects of the pilot project, and a librarian focused on publicity, policies, and procedures. The service was offered first as a 1.5 month pilot project at no charge to users in order to gather data to establish fees for service as well as evolve policies and procedures. The pilot project has painted a clearer picture of our constituents’ needs as well as the opportunities and challenges moving forward. The HSL also made contact with other groups on campus offering similar services.

http://dmc.northeastern.edu/abilities/3d-printing
http://libguides.hsl.washington.edu/3DPrinting