Using in-house 3D printing to support creative solutions to library facilities work

The UC San Diego Library’s Spaces, Lending, & Access (SLA) program is responsible for a range of activities associated with user spaces, furnishings, technology and equipment. As such, in collaboration with the library facilities services team, its related staff are assigned to monitor and address facilities-related issues in the Library’s public spaces. The SLA program also manages the Library’s Digital Media Lab (DML), which operates a popular 3D printing service for the campus community.

3D printing started to be introduced in public and academic libraries over the past decade and continues to be popular, even as decreasing costs have enabled...