Survey of Public Library Use of 3D Printers

This study looks at public 42 libraries that have deployed or will soon deploy 3D printers. The 75-page report helps its readers to answer questions such as: What has been the overall experience of public libraries with 3D printers? Which brands are they choosing and recommending to their peers? How much are they spending for the printers and for supplies, software and peripherals? How many have had repair costs and how much have they spent? How popular have 3D printers been in the library? Who uses them? What are they making? What policies have libraries developed to make 3D printers available to patrons? How many libraries with 3D printers offer classes in 3D printing and how well attended are such classes? What kind of partnerships have public libraries developed with schools, colleges, other libraries and equipment manufacturers in various aspects of 3D printing? How have libraries handled potential liability issues with 3D printing? Have libraries had employees or patrons injured while using 3D printers? Data in the report is broken out by size of library staff, size of public library service area and number of 3D printers offered. Some of the report’s many findings are that: • Mean spending for the stock of 3D printers by the libraries in the sample was $4186, 38. • A third of the libraries sampled received grants to help start their 3D printing program. • Grants were the most common form of financing for libraries with a service area between 68,000 and 150,000 people, with 45.45% of libraries in that demographic using them. • Libraries offering one 3D printer for public use spent a mean of $1,070 for peripherals. • 83.33% of libraries that offer three or more 3D printers to the public offer courses to patrons in how to use the technology.