[OPLINLIST] Seeing in 3D

[SWON Info]

It wasn’t a Cyber Monday deal, but SWON finally bought a 3D printer. 

We had discussed the idea for a couple years. What would we use it for? How difficult would it be to get started printing? Which models were worth having, at what price? Who would we show it to, how would we teach it, who would want to borrow it? 

Those are fine questions, but they’re very difficult to answer from far off. I’ve heard people ask similar questions before buying their first smartphone. They’re not sure how they would use it or what use is worth over a thousand dollars in fees a year. 

Sometimes, with smartphones, it’s a single use case that makes a strong enough case. I have a friend who’s taking a big road trip out west. He needs the smartphone’s GPS so that he doesn’t have to rely entirely on too-small paper maps. 

Sometimes it’s just time to take the plunge. I think that’s how we felt. Two other Regional Library Systems in Ohio have bought 3D printers, and libraries have eagerly borrowed them. We have a little more time during winter months for internal projects, so this is a good time to get some hands on. 

We bought an Up Plus 2 . It’s on the meeting room table in our office, surrounded by test printings and spools of plastic. I’m mostly at home right now, spending time with our newborn baby boy, so it’s been our CE Coordinator Racheal who’s been doing the printing so far, and she is off and running. 

Melanie has written more about the experience at the Future of Libraries blog. We’re looking forward to sharing more 3D printing news soon. 

    * Nathan Swartzendruber, SWON Technology Educator 

Lending in 3D 


We’ll be lending the 3D printer out soon, two weeks at a time. SWON’s Supporting Members can borrow the Up Plus 2 (including spools of plastic to print with and a laptop with the necessary software installed) for $20; for Geographic Members, $50. 

Soon you’ll be able to borrow the 3D printer, and the other tech SWON has to lend, directly through the website. We’re still setting this up, but once it’s in place, it will be easy to find what equipment we have available and put it to use in your library. More news on this soon! 
Connect to SWON online: Website : Calendar : Facebook : Twitter 



Calendar excerpts from the next two weeks. (Please register for online classes at least two days before they take place.) 

    * Teen Services (Special Interest Group) Meeting - (12/5/2014) - Public Library of Cincinnati & Hamilton County, Main Branch 
    * Level-Up Lab: Project Management - (12/10/2014) - SWON Meeting Room 
    * CLEAR Book Review (Special Interest Group) Meeting - (12/11/2014) - Kenton County Public Library, Covington Branch 
    * CLEAR Book Review (Special Interest Group) Meeting - (12/12/2014) - SWON Meeting Room 
    * The 2014 Horizon Report for Libraries: A Year-End/Year-Ahead Exploration - (12/18/2014) - Webinar 

SWON Libraries - http://www.swonlibraries.org 
10250 Alliance Road, Suite 225 
Blue Ash, OH 45242 
phone (513) 751-4422 - fax (513) 751-0463 
To subscribe or be removed from SWON's Events list, click here: http://lists.swonlibraries.org/mailman/listinfo/events 
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