Herron (emerging technologies librarian, Ruth Lilly Medical Library) provides a 3-D printing guide for health sciences and medical librarians. Similar to other 3-D printing resources, the guide includes a 3-D printing overview, describes the history of the maker movement, discusses potential legal issues, specifies tips for working with online or in-house 3-D models, and provides ideas for library promotion and outreach. In addition, the author includes a chapter with five interesting case studies, reviews of survey results from various medical association libraries, information about supplies for 3-D models for anatomy, and a summary on digital imaging and communications in medicine (DICOM). Each chapter includes a list of references, and the book concludes with a list of recommended resources. Overall, an excellent resource for those interested in 3-D printing in medical libraries or the health care field.



Summing Up: Recommended. Graduate students, researchers, faculty, professionals.

Choice Reviews

3D Printing in Medical Libraries: A Crash Course in Supporting Innovation in Health Care is in-deed a crash course on how medical libraries can offer a 3D printing service at their institutions. In her book, Jennifer Herron shares her firsthand knowledge of establishing a 3D printing lab. The fourteen chapters in Herron’s book are packed with practical information based on her experience at the Indiana University School of Medicine’s Ruth Lilly Medical Library. The chapters are short and succinct and can be read individually; however, it would behoove a librarian who is thinking about establishing a 3D printing lab to read the book from cover to cover. . . . Although this book focuses on medical libraries, it is an ideal how-to manual for any librarian who desires to set up a 3D printing service but does not know where to start.

Journal of the Medical Library Association

Overall, 3D Printing in Medical Librarieswould be a useful resource whether one is starting a 3D printing service, evaluating and improving an existing service, or just learning more about the technology. The book contributes to the library literature on 3D printing in several ways. In describing what she calls “the print interview,” Herron shows how librarians can draw upon the tradition of the reference interview to help 3D printing users. In her chapter on data management, Herron demonstrates how the expertise some librarians have developed in data management could be useful for running a 3D printing service, with examples on collecting data to assess usage, avoid repeated errors, and assist with troubleshooting. The book points to ways medical libraries can support 3D printing beyond having 3D printers in the library, such as collecting 3D models and developing digital repositories. As 3D printing evolves, especially with new developments in bioprinting, a type of 3D printing dealing with living, biological materials, so, too, will medical libraries.

Medical Reference Services Quarterly

3D printing provides opportunities to learn and conceptualize ideas in new ways. Many academic libraries and even some public and school libraries own at least one 3D printer. This much-needed book discusses the challenges, costs, and excitement associated with starting and maintaining a 3D printing service.

Margaret A. Hoogland, MLS, AHIP, Mulford Health Science Library, The University of Toledo

This practical guide is perfect for every library considering getting a 3D printer or regularly training 3D printing personnel. Librarians and users will greatly appreciate the recommended resources, especially those for finding and editing models. 3D print away!

Lisa D. Travis, MS, EdS, AHIP(D), Clinical Informationist, Emory Saint Joseph's Hospital and Emory University