Criteria for the Selection of 3D Printers for the Purposes of their Implementation in the Activities of Academic Libraries

Printing in 3D in academic libraries has been implemented for over a decade, yet unfortunately, many academic libraries around the world, especially in developing countries, still do not see the need for 3D printers. The purpose of this article is to present a methodology for selecting the most appropriate kind of 3D printers for use in academic libraries. In order to achieve this objective, a review of the literature was undertaken to arrive at a set of criteria for the selection of these 3D printers. During the development of the article, the author used his own experience of working with 3D printing technologies in academic activities. Among the most crucial criteria for the selection of 3D printers are: functionality; usability; realization/interface; availability/distribution method; user manual; licensing practice; documentation; ease of personalization; ease of implementation; price/cost; reliability; opportunities; market penetration; community/support; device manufacturer; error/problem list; target; cross-platform; interoperability; modularity; DIY; safety; environmental awareness; usage/working range; practical application in a given library. The collected data can be of value to academic libraries facing the dilemma of trying to decide if they should implement 3DP and, if so, what criteria to follow for the selection of 3D printers.