Learning Resources

New York Public Library and Shapeways Partner to Provide 3D Printing Curriculum

The collaboration aims to make free, open courses on 3D modeling, printing and entrepreneurship skills available to library patrons, and eventually to other libraries and institutions.

• By Sri Ravipati
• 06/20/16

On the heels of National Week of Making, The New York Public Library (NYPL) and Shapeways EDU announced a new partnership to create a free, open source curriculum that covers the entrepreneurship side of 3D modeling and printing technology.  The collaboration will result in a pilot program this fall that offers the courses over a 10-week period. Following the pilot program, materials will be published under an open course license for any public library or institution to access.

NYPL’s TechConnect program is leading the project. Shapeways, a 3D printing service and marketplace for consumers, will contribute expertise on digital manufacturing to the courses. In addition to creating the curriculum, the partners are working together to make a comprehensive, turnkey curriculum for NYPL’s tech education staff to offer courses to library patrons.

"This collaboration will allow the New York Public Library to provide our visitors with an opportunity to leverage the power of 3D printing by learning, creating and gaining access to a fascinating technology that can empower entrepreneurs who wouldn't otherwise have the opportunity to do so," said Brandy McNeil, associate director or technology education and training at NYPL.

“We know many people are eager and inspired to learn more and unleash the power of digital manufacturing,” said Pete Weimarshausen, CEO and founder of Shapeways, in a prepared statement. “The New York Public Library is the perfect partner for us to develop public access education to bring our mission to life well beyond any individual workshop."