3-D Printing Policy

Revere Public Library

3-D Printing Policy

1. Purpose

The Revere Public Library provides access to 3-D printing technology through the Creative Cove to support education, creativity, innovation, and hands-on learning.

Use of the Library’s 3-D printer is a privilege and is subject to this policy, the Library’s Code of Conduct, and any applicable Library procedures.

2. Eligibility and Access

The 3-D printer located in the Creative Cove is primarily intended for patrons ages 7 through 17. All individuals utilizing the services within the Creative Cove must have the user agreement signed by a parent or guardian.

Patrons under the age of 7 may not independently use the 3-D printer or submit projects for printing. A parent or legal guardian may submit a print request on behalf of the child under the age of 7.

Patrons 18 years of age and older may request 3-D printing services. Because the Creative Cove is a designated youth space, adult patrons may not use the computers located in the Creative Cove to create or prepare 3-D printing files.

Adult patrons may use computers located in the adult section of the Library to create or prepare their files and may submit the completed file to Library staff for review. Adult patrons may also provide a file to Library staff on a USB flash drive for review and approval.

All files must be reviewed and approved by designated Library staff before printing.

3. Acceptable and Prohibited Uses

The Library’s 3-D printer may be used only for lawful purposes and in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local law.

The Library will not print objects or materials that:

• Are prohibited by federal, state, or local law;
• Constitute or facilitate the creation of a firearm, weapon, or other unlawful device;
• Are obscene under applicable law;
• Are harmful to minors under applicable law;
• Are designed or intended to cause physical harm to a person or property;
• Present a significant and reasonably foreseeable safety hazard;
• Are reasonably likely to damage the Library’s 3-D printer or other Library property;
• Infringe or facilitate infringement of another person’s copyright, trademark, patent, or other intellectual property rights; or
• Cannot be printed safely using the Library’s equipment or materials.

The Library may also decline a request for operational reasons, including when a print exceeds equipment limitations, requires excessive staff time or materials, has a significant likelihood of failure, or cannot reasonably be completed using the Library’s available equipment.

These limitations are intended to establish objective standards for the 3-D printing service and do not create a general discretionary authority to deny a request based solely on the content being unpopular, controversial, or otherwise disfavored.

4. Intellectual Property and User Responsibility

Patrons are responsible for ensuring that they have the legal right to reproduce and print any file or design they submit.

By submitting a file for printing, the patron represents that the file may lawfully be reproduced and agrees to assume responsibility for any copyright, trademark, patent, licensing, or other intellectual property issues associated with the submitted material.

The Library does not determine whether a patron has permission to reproduce copyrighted, trademarked, patented, or otherwise protected material.

Patrons under 18 must have a parent or legal guardian complete and sign the Library’s 3-D Printing User Agreement before using the service. The User Agreement establishes the patron’s and parent/guardian’s responsibilities for use of the service, including compliance with applicable laws, intellectual property requirements, and safety rules.

5. Safety

3-D printing involves heated surfaces, moving mechanical parts, electrical equipment, and other potential hazards. The 3D printer may produce odors or airborne emissions depending on the type of filaments and printing conditions.

The printer nozzle, print bed, and other components may become extremely hot and may cause burns. Moving parts may also cause injury if improperly handled.

Patrons may not touch, move, open, or interfere with the printer while it is operating unless specifically instructed or assisted by authorized Library staff.

Patrons must keep hands, hair, clothing, and personal belongings away from moving parts and heated components.

Library staff may stop a print if they observe a condition that presents a safety risk or could damage the equipment.

Some 3-D printed objects may contain small or detachable parts that may present a choking hazard to young children. Patrons are responsible for using and storing printed objects appropriately and keeping small parts away from children and other individuals for whom they may present a hazard.

The Library does not guarantee that a printed object is safe or suitable for its intended use. Patrons are responsible for determining whether a completed object is safe and appropriate for its intended purpose.

6. Staff Review and Approval

All 3-D printing requests must be reviewed and approved by designated Library staff before printing.

Approval of a file does not guarantee that the print will be successful.

Library staff may decline, postpone, or cancel a request when the file:

• Violates Section 3 of this policy;
• Exceeds the capabilities or limitations of the equipment;
• Is likely to damage the printer;
• Requires excessive staff time or materials;
• Has a significant likelihood of failure; or
• Cannot reasonably be printed using the Library’s equipment.

7. Printing Limitations

The Library may establish reasonable limits on the size, quantity, duration, or complexity of 3-D printing requests based on available equipment, materials, staff time, and demand.

The Library may limit the number of print requests accepted from an individual patron during a particular period.

Priority may be given to Library-sponsored, educational, instructional, or program-related projects when demand exceeds available printing capacity.

8. Cost

The Library charges $0.10 per gram of filament used, with a minimum charge of $1.00 per completed print.

The estimated cost will be determined using the printer’s estimated filament usage. The Library may collect payment before beginning a print.

Fees are intended to offset the cost of filament, equipment, maintenance, and other supplies associated with the 3-D printing service.

The Library may periodically review and adjust fees as necessary.

9. Failed Prints, Refunds, and Reprints

3-D printing is a technical process, and prints may fail because of equipment malfunction, filament problems, design errors, file preparation, adhesion issues, or other circumstances.

If a print fails because of an equipment malfunction or other issue determined to be the responsibility of the Library, the patron will receive either a refund of the printing fee or one replacement print at no additional charge, at the patron’s option.

If a print fails because of the patron’s file, design, or improper preparation, the Library is not required to provide a refund or free replacement.

The Library does not guarantee that a submitted design will print successfully and is not responsible for redesigning or repairing patron-created files.

10. File Preparation

Patrons are responsible for creating, preparing, and submitting print-ready files in a format supported by the Library’s equipment.

Library staff may provide basic assistance with submitting or preparing a file but are not responsible for designing, modifying, or troubleshooting complex patron-created files.

The Library may decline requests that require extensive staff assistance.

11. Completed Prints

Patrons will be notified when their print is ready for pickup using contact method provided at the time the print request is submitted, which may include email or phone.

Completed prints must be picked up within 14 calendar days of notification.

Prints that are not picked up within 14 calendar days may be discarded or otherwise disposed of by the Library.

The Library does not guarantee that printed objects will meet a patron’s expectations regarding appearance, strength, durability, size, or functionality.

12. Patron Records and Submitted Files

The Library will handle patron records and information associated with the 3-D printing service in accordance with M.G.L. c. 78, § 7, applicable Library privacy policies, and the Library’s records retention schedule. M.G.L. c. 78, § 7 provides that records revealing the identity and intellectual pursuits of a person using a public library are not public records. (Massachusetts General Court)

Submitted files will be retained only as necessary to administer the 3-D printing service and in accordance with the Library’s applicable records retention schedule.

13. Supervision and Staff Assistance

Library staff may provide instruction and reasonable assistance with the 3-D printer but are not required to provide continuous one-on-one supervision.

Parents and legal guardians are responsible for supervising minors in accordance with Library policies and the 3-D Printing User Agreement.

All patrons using the Creative Cove and its equipment must comply with the Library’s Code of Conduct and staff instructions.

14. Weapons and Potentially Unlawful Files

The Library will not print firearms, weapons, or components intended to create or facilitate the creation of an unlawful weapon.

If Library staff identify a file that appears to request the creation of a prohibited weapon or other potentially unlawful item, the request will be denied and the file will not be printed.

Staff should not investigate or independently determine whether criminal conduct has occurred. If staff have a reasonable concern that a request involves an immediate safety threat or potentially unlawful conduct requiring further action, the matter should be referred to the Library Director or designee, who will determine whether additional action, including consultation with appropriate City officials or law enforcement, is warranted.

Any internal documentation of a denied request will be maintained only as necessary and in accordance with applicable privacy requirements and the Library’s records retention schedule.

15. Suspension of 3-D Printing Privileges

A patron who violates this policy, the 3-D Printing User Agreement, the Library’s Code of Conduct, or staff safety instructions may have their 3-D printing privileges suspended or terminated.

Any suspension or other restriction of Library privileges will be administered in accordance with the Library’s Code of Conduct and applicable Library procedures, including any applicable appeal process.

16. Policy Administration and Review

The Library Director and Board of Trustees are responsible for reviewing and approving revisions to this policy.

The policy will be reviewed periodically and updated as necessary to reflect changes in technology, equipment, applicable law, Library procedures, and community needs.