This study, based on data and commentary from 118 directors, deans and provosts of academic libraries, probes academic library use of and satisfaction with 3D Printing and other Makerspace technology. It looks at their current policies and future plans in this area. The report presents detailed data on the percentage of libraries that use the technology, how much they invested and how much they plan to invest in the future. It also presents specific data on the percentage of libraries planning to newly implement or expand their 3D Printing/Makerspace presence, and their level of satisfaction with the technology. Data in the report is broken out by numerous institutional and personal characteristics of the survey respondents, including size and type of college, public/private status, enrollment level, and tuition level, as well as the gender, educational background and age of the survey participant.
Just a few of the findings from this 55-page report are that:
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Library leaders with degrees in education were much more likely than other library leaders to purchase Makerspace/3D printing technology.
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Public colleges in the sample in general had spent significantly more than private colleges on the technology.
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41% of research universities sampled had invested in 3D printing technology vs. only 12.5% of junior colleges.