The Vail Public Library maintains and furnishes two 3D Printers for sole use by library patrons (individuals with Vail Public Library cards in good standing).
Purpose
The library strives to offer community access to new and emerging technologies, such as 3D printing, to inspire a new interest in creation and collaboration @ your library. We wish to help the community bring its creations to life. This policy establishes how, and under what circumstances, the public may use the library’s 3D printers.
Policy
The library’s 3D printers are available to the public for educational purposes to make three-dimensional objects in plastic using a design that is uploaded from a digital computer file.
- The library’s 3D printers may be used for lawful purposes only. Patrons will not be permitted to use the library’s 3D printers to create material that is:
- Prohibited by local, state, or federal law.
- Unsafe, harmful, dangerous, or poses an immediate threat to the well-being of others. (Such use may violate the terms of use of the manufacturer.)
- Obscene or otherwise inappropriate for the library environment.
- In violation of another’s intellectual property rights. For example, the printer will not be used to reproduce material that is subject to copyright, patent or trademark protection.
- The library reserves the right to refuse any 3D print request.
- A library staff member must authorize the use of the equipment while a print is in progress or after a print is completed.
- Any 3D drafting software may be used to create a design as long as the file can be saved in .stl, .obj, or .thing file format.
- Digital designs are also available from various file-sharing databases such as Thingiverse.com.
- All 3D prints are free of charge, however, a donation for filament would be appreciated.
- The filament is changed (Color or type) once a week by library staff.
- Files may not be dropped off to be printed. The 3D printer is for educational purposes only and patrons must help to get the print started. They may, however, come back later to pick up the final print.
- Items printed from the 3D printer that is not picked up within 7 days will become the property of the library. Items must be picked up by the individual who printed them.
- Patrons may only use the printer alongside designated library staff or volunteer coaches.
- Supervision of the use of the 3D printer by library staff does not constitute knowledge, or acknowledgment, of any unapparent final use of the 3D product, and the library specifically disclaims any knowledge thereof.
- Please note that procedures governing the use of the library’s 3D printer are subject to change.
Disclaimer
While Vail Public Library makes every effort to oversee the use of the equipment, such usage is not under the direction or control of the library or the Town of Vail. Neither the library nor the town is responsible for any object created with the use of said equipment, including any harm or injury incurred as a result of any usage of said equipment.
ADOPTED: January 2023
