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<p>In the box for <a href="http://swonlibraries.org/?page=tech_to_lend">SWON's
3D printer</a> sits a broken iPhone case. It was made by the printer,
in bright blue plastic, but it's split near the space where you'd plug
headphones in. This isn't surprising—the hard plastic used by the
printer can't flex enough for the iPhone to squeeze in without
splitting—but it is instructive.</p>
<p>That's why I talk about that iPhone case every time I take it to
another library. We want people to understand how the printer works,
what it does well and what its printed pieces are like. And we hope
seeing a 3D printer in action will get people into problem-solving mode.</p>
<p>There are lots of examples of problems that 3D printers have helped
solve. Here's a <a href="http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:55497">slide-in
mount for a smartphone</a> that attaches your phone to a tripod. It
doesn't need to flex, so it won't break, and it's very useful for
recording videos. Here's a <a
href="http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:78930">camera-to-telescope
adapter</a> for a Sony NEX camera. Attach to your camera's lens mount,
slide it onto your telescope, and make amazing photos of the moon. </p>
<p>And here's an <a
href="https://www.youmagine.com/designs/single-bay-atsc-digital-hd-tv-antenna">HD
TV antenna</a>, assembled with the help of a few bolts and screws and
ten feet of aluminum wire, that closely resembles our antenna at home at
about 1/10th the cost.</p>
<p>I like these projects because they encourage people to do more than
print dollar store bric-a-brac. They can help people realize that they
could build the solution to their problem. That's a great first step for
a 3D printer library program to aspire to take.</p>
<ul>
<li>Nathan Swartzendruber, SWON Technology Educator</li>
</ul>
<hr>
<h2 id="3dprintingatthestafftrainingsymposium">3D printing at the Staff
Training Symposium</h2>
<p>Put on your thinking cap and join us at the Staff Training Symposium
for a session on 3D printing. You'll see our 3D printer in action and
learn how small errors can take it out of action. You'll get your hands
on models we've printed, and together we'll brainstorm to think of
problems the 3D printer could help solve.</p>
<p>The Symposium this spring is a nice mix of technical and personal
sessions. You can learn about healthy eating on the run and helpful
stances on customer service, and pick up some emerging technologies
know-how. <a
href="http://swonlibraries.org/events/event_details.asp?id=526898&group=">Join
us May 12th</a> for all this and some fun!</p>
<hr>
<h2 id="civichackingandmapmaking">Civic hacking and mapmaking</h2>
<p>Though there are <a
href="https://www.fort.usgs.gov/sites/landsat-imagery-unique-resource/case-studies/mapbox-innovating-landsat">satellite
images of the entire world</a>, it takes people to translate those
pictures into maps. Maps are a critical tool when disasters strike.
Typhoons, ebola & cholera outbreaks, cyclones, refugees in crisis:
these are <a href="http://tasks.hotosm.org">maps in the process of being
made right now</a> through the Humanitarian OpenStreetmap Team.</p>
<p>You can join them! Come to SWON's <a
href="http://swonlibraries.org/events/event_details.asp?id=599097&group=">Level-Up
Lab on Humanitarian Mapping, May 6</a>, and Nathan will introduce the
simple browser-based software you'll use. All it really takes is
attention to detail. Oh, and a laptop (which we have). Let's draw a map
together.</p>
<hr>
<h2 id="cominguponthecalendar">Coming up on the <a
href="http://swonlibraries.org/events/event_list.asp">calendar</a></h2>
<ul>
<li><strong><a
href="http://swonlibraries.org/events/event_details.asp?id=593517&group=">MS
Publisher Projects</a></strong><br>April 28, 2015 - Boone County Public
Library, Main Branch</li><li><strong><a
href="http://swonlibraries.org/events/event_details.asp?id=509816&group=">Adult
Planning and Services (Special Interest Group) Meeting</a></strong><br>May
4, 2015 - Dayton Metro Temporary Main Branch</li><li><strong><a
href="http://swonlibraries.org/events/event_details.asp?id=608462&group=">Hackathons:
An Innovative Approach to Digital Instruction</a></strong><br>May 5,
2015 - Online</li><li><strong><a
href="http://swonlibraries.org/events/event_details.asp?id=608486&group=">More
Than Crafts: Implementing Learning Activities and Experiences in Your
Storytimes</a></strong><br>May 5, 2015 - Online</li><li><strong><a
href="http://swonlibraries.org/events/event_details.asp?id=599097&group=">Level-Up
Lab: Teaching Patrons Humanitarian Mapping</a></strong><br>May 6, 2015 -
SWON Meeting Room</li><li><strong><a
href="http://swonlibraries.org/events/event_details.asp?id=517334&group=">ROYAL
Literature Review (Special Interest Group) Meeting</a></strong><br>May
7, 2015 - Kenton County Public Library, Covington Branch</li>
</ul>
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