the libraries when adding this new technology, and to discover any challenges that had to be overcome. In addition, valuable information regarding hardware, suppliers and support was gathered during this period. East Lothian An invitation to the launch of the East Lothian 3D printer at Musselburgh Library was also my own first sight of the technology in action. The event showcased their new Ultimaker 2 printer. The plan is to tour the printer around several community libraries before creating and developing learning programmes for school classes, as well as considering how the printer could be used to engage with local businesses. It was encouraging to see that school children were attracted to the printer, and were interested in how it worked, offering suggestions about what could be printed. It was clear that the library was the only space in the community offering access to this technology. The purchase of the printer and its associated items were funded through the Scottish Government’s Public Library Improvement Fund (PLIF), administered by SLIC. Dundee In May 2014 Dundee Central Library was the first public library in the UK to incorporate 3D printing into their service. It enabled groups with additional support needs, who already used the library for storytelling, creative writing sessions and IT, to use the 3D printer to produce resources to assist the library and its users. This gave people in the group a real sense of achievement, and built confidence and self-esteem. In one initiative characters from the book ‘Leo the maker prince’ were printed to complement children’s storytelling sessions, providing a more tactile engagement with the story. This proved to be particularly valuable for children with visual impairment as they could touch and hold the characters as the story unfolded.
the libraries when adding this new technology, and to discover any challenges that had to be overcome. In addition, valuable information regarding hardware, suppliers and support was gathered during this period. East Lothian An invitation to the launch of the East Lothian 3D printer at Musselburgh Library was also my own first sight of the technology in action. The event showcased their new Ultimaker 2 printer. The plan is to tour the printer around several community libraries before creating and developing learning programmes for school classes, as well as considering how the printer could be used to engage with local businesses. It was encouraging to see that school children were attracted to the printer, and were interested in how it worked, offering suggestions about what could be printed. It was clear that the library was the only space in the community offering access to this technology. The purchase of the printer and its associated items were funded through the Scottish Government’s Public Library Improvement Fund (PLIF), administered by SLIC. Dundee In May 2014 Dundee Central Library was the first public library in the UK to incorporate 3D printing into their service. It enabled groups with additional support needs, who already used the library for storytelling, creative writing sessions and IT, to use the 3D printer to produce resources to assist the library and its users. This gave people in the group a real sense of achievement, and built confidence and self-esteem. In one initiative characters from the book ‘Leo the maker prince’ were printed to complement children’s storytelling sessions, providing a more tactile engagement with the story. This proved to be particularly valuable for children with visual impairment as they could touch and hold the characters as the story unfolded.
3d-printing-final-report.docx