Makerspace Policies

The John and Stella Graves Makerspace is dedicated to creating an environment where all students have equitable access to our technology, space, and staff time. The use of the Makerspace is a privilege.  Our policies are designed to support the greatest number of patrons with the resources we have available. We reserve the right to deny a project time or print request at our discretion.  If patrons misuse makerspace equipment or show a lack of respect for the space, staff, or our policies, they may be asked to train again or temporarily lose their privileges. 

Our technology may be used for lawful purposes only. The Library reserves the right to refuse any print request at the discretion of library staff. Patrons are not permitted to use the Library’s 3D printers, laser cutter, or other equipment to produce materials that:

  • Violate local, state, or federal laws or regulations
  • Look like, function as, or appear to function as real weapons or parts thereof 
  • Appear unsafe, harmful, dangerous, or that otherwise pose a threat to the health or safety of others
  • Contain symbols or words that can be deemed offensive or inappropriate by members of the campus community
  • Potentially violate the intellectual property rights of another.


Using the Makerspace

  1. The John and Stella Graves Makerspace is open to all students, staff, and faculty with an active affiliation with the University of Maryland. 
  2. Patrons must sign-in on the iPad at the beginning of every Makerspace visit to help us track the use of the space. 
  3. Patrons must receive training before making use of the Makerspace’s technology.
  4. Patrons are welcome in the Makerspace when our staff are present.
  5. Patrons who have booked project time (after receiving training) will be prioritized over walk-ins and the print request queue. 
  6. While we prefer training to be booked in advance, we will accept training walk-ins if the Makerspace staff and machines are available.
  7. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us at lib-makerspace@umd.edu.

3D Printing Policies

  1. To ensure equitable access to all:
    • Each patron is allowed no more than 12 hours daily of printer use. This time includes slicing, set up, and print time. 
    • Each project may only occupy one printer at a time, even if patrons are working in a group.
  2. Prints in filaments other than PLA need to be approved by Makerspace staff prior to use.
  3. For printer safety, only PLA prints are allowed to run overnight.
  4. If we do not have the color of filament you would like to use, we can order it for you! If you would like to bring your own filament to print, please email lib-makerspace@umd.edu with information about your filament for our review.
  5. You can pick up your print request at the STEM Library service desk. You can pick up your own projects in the Makerspace during open hours. If the Makerspace is closed, please ask the service desk for assistance.

Print Requests

  1. If you would like the Makerspace to complete a print for you, please submit a print request through the Makerspace’s website. This option does not require a training session. 
  2. Requests are completed on a first-come, first-serve basis. We will complete your request as soon as we are able; however, we cannot guarantee completion by a specific date due to staff and machine availability. 
  3. We cannot guarantee that your print will be successful. If your print fails, we will attempt it again:
    • For prints that take fewer than 4 hours to complete, we will attempt your print four times. 
    • For prints between 4-8 hours, we will attempt your print three times. 
    • For prints between 8-12 hours we will attempt your print twice.

Scheduling Printing Project Time

  1. Patrons are required to receive training prior to booking project time.
  2. Patrons can request scheduled project time on our website and will receive an email to confirm a booking time. We may not approve your request if there are conflicting appointments, trainings, makerspace events, or if the machines require maintenance. 
  3. If a patron does not arrive for their project time booking within 15 minutes of the scheduled start time, the booking will be canceled to make the machine available for others. If you know you will be late, you may email lib-makerspace@umd.edu to ask staff to wait up to 30 minutes past scheduled start time before your booking is canceled. 
  4. If your print fails, you can attempt it again. If you do not have a successful print after these attempts, we will refer you to Terrapin Works to complete your print.  
    • For prints that take fewer than 4 hours to complete, you can attempt your print four times. 
    • For prints between 4-8 hours, you can attempt your print three times. 
    • For prints between 8-12 hours, you can attempt your print twice.

Glowforge / Vinyl Cutter Policies

  1. Patrons can request scheduled project time on our website and will receive an email to confirm a booking time. We may not approve your request if there are conflicting appointments, trainings, makerspace events, or if the machine requires maintenance. 
  2. We provide proofgrade and other materials for patrons to use on the glowforge and vinyl cutter. If you have your own material that you would like to cut or engrave, please email lib-makerspace@umd.edu with information about your material for our review. 
  3. Project time includes the time you spend designing your file, setting up the design in the glowforge/vinyl cutting software, and completing the cutting/engraving. You must book enough project time to complete all three of these tasks. 
  4. If a patron does not arrive for their project time booking within 15 minutes of the scheduled start time, the booking will be canceled to make the machine available for others. If you know you will be late, you may email lib-makerspace@umd.edu to ask staff to wait up to 30 minutes past scheduled start time before your booking is canceled. 
  5. If your Glowforge project uses acrylic material, you must schedule your project time after 4pm. The fumes from the acrylic are disruptive to the classrooms below our space during the day.
  6. For acrylic projects, staff may ask you to break down longer projects into multiple shorter cutting/engraving sessions so as to protect patrons and staff from adverse effects of prolonged exposure to the resulting fumes. 
     
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