3D Printer Policy

3D Printer Policy

A 3D printer is a machine for creating three dimensional models from a computer generated/aided digital design.  Our mission supports both patron interest and contemporary innovation.  The Taunton Public Library’s mission is to provide popular, educational, cultural, and recreational information and resources to its patrons and the community by recognizing Taunton’s diverse, growing, and changing population of life-time learners.

This policy establishes how and under what circumstances the public may make use of the Library’s 3D printer:

  • The 3D printer can only be used during designated times when trained library staff are available.
  • The City or Library is not responsible for any object created with 3D printers or any harm incurred by a 3D printed object.
  • The city or Library is not responsible for any harm or injury incurred as a result of any usage of any equipment.
  • The printers may be used for lawful purposes only. The Library staff reserves the right to reject any print job application at their discretion.
  • Any 3D drafting software may be used to create a design as long as the file can be saved in .stl or .obj file format.
  • Projects will be printed in an order that is determined by the staff operating the 3d printing program.  The library reserves the right to delay or change the printing order of projects depending on how long a project may take to print, or the color rotation of filaments based on current projects. 
  • Finished projects may be picked up at the Reference Desk.  Items not picked up after 14 days from the time of notification will become the property of the TPL, and are subject to being given away.
  • The Library reserves the right to set reasonable fees to offset printing costs. 
  • Patrons should have no more than 2 print jobs in the queue at any given time. Any more submitted projects will be subject to deletion at the discretion of the staff. 
  • Once a project is submitted by a patron, said patron is held responsible for picking up the finished product. If a patron does not pick up their finished product, the library will withhold any/all future projects until such project is picked up.
  • Downloading files off the internet always poses a hazard, always check files for any viruses and/or malware before downloading. The TPL is not responsible for any harm done to any computer from a downloaded file.
  • The Taunton Public Library reserves the right to withhold any finished projects for a period determined by staff for record keeping, and advertising purposes. As such, any project submitted to the 3d printing program, regardless of its nature, is subject to being photographed and recorded for record keeping or advertising purposes.

Examples of unlawful purposes or potentially rejected jobs include but are not limited to:

  • Anything prohibited by local, state or federal law.
  • Unsafe, harmful, dangerous item that poses an immediate threat to the well-being of others.
  • An item that is obscene or otherwise inappropriate for the library environment.
  • Work that is in violation of another’s intellectual property rights.
  • Products that are protected by any patent that forbids distribution of copyrighted material. 
  • A job that is too large or complex.

The library reserves the right to add/remove any rules and regulations from this document