Librarians use 3D printers to make health care devices

San Mateo County library staff is using the system’s 3D printers to make protective equipment for health care workers while branches are closed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

About a dozen library staffers are using the system’s 17 3D printers to produce face shields and ear savers that will be given to the county to distribute to medical facilities, spokeswoman Katie Woods said.

More than 300 ear savers (meant to prevent the bands on masks from rubbing against the ears) have already been produced, according to library officials. Staff has made 30 face shields since having its design approved by county health officials this week and intends to print more than 600 shields in the next couple of weeks, Woods said.

AnneMarie Despain, San Mateo County director of library services, said the libraries are “happy to find a creative way to put our machines to good use.”

The 3D printers have been in “high demand” with patrons since the county introduced them in 2014, Woods said, used to create such things as toys, game pieces, wall mounts and other household items.

For the medical equipment, library staff is using PLA filament from its stock for the ear savers and purchased plastic for the face shields, Woods said.

Each shield takes about 40 minutes to print, and ear savers take about 10 minutes, library officials said. Once completed, the equipment will be delivered to San Mateo County’s public health department and Emergency Operations Center.

“Libraries’ innovation in using their printers to create this critical resource is phenomenal and testament to its ongoing commitment to serve the residents of our county,” San Mateo County Manager Mike Callagy said.