Mitchell Public Library launches new 3D printer services
Apr. 23—MITCHELL — Kevin Kenkel, director for the Mitchell Public Library, holds a small articulated plastic dinosaur in his hand. It's one of several trinkets the library gives out to some of its younger patrons taking part in the various reading programs.
But the dinosaur is not one of hundreds ordered in bulk from some online source. The tiny reptile is unique to the Mitchell Public Library, having been created on its new 3D printer that is also now open for use by members of the public.
"(We) decided to have a couple of different items that they could choose," Kenkel told the Mitchell Republic recently. "So we let them choose whatever they want and we start it and they can watch it being made."
The arrival of the new 3D printer has been in the works for some time. After securing a grant, the library ordered the piece of equipment nearly two years ago from a supplier in the Czech Republic, but supply chain issues exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic delayed delivery of the machine until earlier this year.
Now the printer, which is about the size of a photocopier, is being put through its paces as staff create small toys for visiting kids as well as take designs from members of the public and create whatever it is they need. That could range from small action figures to custom plastic machinery parts that may be hard to come by.
Like much of the other equipment at the library, including its computers and traditional printers, use of the 3D printer is open to the public without even the use of a library card. Library workers can issue a temporary pass that allows the public access to the machine for their projects, although there is a small charge of 10 cents per gram of the plastic used to create the objects. The small 3D dinosaur, which measured about 2.5 inches in length, can be made for between 70 cents and a dollar.
The two-nozzle print model can handle a number of different plastics to create objects, Kenkel said. Only a handful of projects have been done by members of the public using the machine, but the wide range of objects that can be printed is evident.
"(Someone) had a filing cabinet with a plastic piece that keeps breaking, so she got the design for the thing and we printed it, and she said it works better than the original," Kenkel said.
The library itself does not provide design services for 3D printing, but patrons can visit a number of online sites like thingiverse.com and download designs to use. Or, if they have design skills of their own or are familiar with CAD software, they can create their own objects and have them printed on site at the library. Objects as large as 14x14x14 inches can be created on the machine.
Kenkel said the 3D printer is a unique way to expand creative services at the library while also offering a way to increase visitor knowledge about technology and 3D printing in general. He cited the city's Forward 2040 report as providing inspiration along those lines.
"I would have to look at Forward 2040, and one of the pillars of that (report) was about being a technologically advanced community," Kenkel said. "I feel that providing this tool to the entire community is something that helps achieve that goal."
The 3D printer may have gained some inspiration in the Forward 2040 vision plan, but library officials are looking to the public for feedback on all of their programs and services through their own strategic planning process.
Kenkel said the library is currently in the midst of that process that will help guide the library through the next three to five years. That process includes an online survey, asking both those who use the library and those who don't which services they value, which ones they don't and what they would like to see offered in the future.
"We want people who use the library but also those who don't use the library, and the first question is if they don't use the library, why not?" Kenkel said. "Because we want to find out. When they do come to the library, what do they usually use it for? We're asking how satisfied they are with a variety of services we offer."
The survey is being conducted online and features about 20 questions for the user to answer and takes roughly 10 minutes to complete, Kenkel said. A link to the survey can be found on the library website, and a QR code was included with both recent city water bills as well in a mailing for residents of Davison County outside Mitchell city limits. Using that code, the public can take the survey on their laptop or phone.
Kenkel said the library would also try to accommodate people who wish to fill out a hardcopy of the survey if they stop in the library for assistance.
Included among the questions are optional fields for the survey-taker to enter their name, phone number and address to qualify for a gift card giveaway. Those who choose to take part in that portion can win gift cards ranging from $25 to $100.
The survey is a more comprehensive version of a less formal survey the library conducted a few years back. So far, about 216 people had taken the survey, though Kenkel said he'd like to see 1,000 or more provide feedback. The survey will be open through about the first week of May, after which the library strategic planning committee will go through and analyze the results.
"Based on that analysis, we'll start developing a strategic plan to the library board for approval," Kenkel said.
More information on the new 3D printing service can be found at
www.cityofmitchellsd.gov/649/3D-Printing.
More information the library survey, as well as a link to that survey, can be found at
