For health sciences librarians, the push to add 3D printing services often raises more questions than answers. Where do you start? What does "support" really mean in a medical library? How do you prepare staff and users for a technology that is still evolving? A guide that addresses these questions directly can save hours of trial and error.
Quick Verdict
Jennifer Herron's hardcover guide, 3D Printing In Medical Libraries: A Crash Course In Supporti, is a focused professional resource for librarians in health care settings. At USD 160.95, it is an investment, but one that aligns with institutional professional development budgets rather than personal reading. If your library is considering or already offering 3D printing, this book offers a structured orientation to the service side of the technology.
3D Printing In Medical Libraries: A Crash Course In Supporti
The book's title makes its scope explicit: this is not a general 3D printing manual, but a crash course tied to medical libraries. At 9.1 inches long, 0.7 inch high, and 29.7 ounces, it's a solid hardcover reference with the heft of a textbook. The author, Jennifer Herron, writes from the perspective of supporting innovation in health care, and the content points to preparing librarians for the technologies that future doctors will use. The ISBN 9781538118795 identifies this specific hardcover edition.
Who It Suits
This is for health sciences librarians, medical library staff, and academic librarians who support health care curricula. It also fits hospital library administrators who need a professional resource to justify or plan a 3D printing service. The crash course format suggests it's meant to bring readers up to speed without a heavy technical background.
What Stands Out
The clear focus on medical libraries is the standout feature. Instead of adapting generic maker content, the book seems built around the conversations librarians have with doctors, medical students, and researchers. The durable hardcover format and substantial dimensions also make it suitable for a lending collection or staff reference shelf. The price point reinforces that it's a serious professional title.
Meaningful Trade-offs
The price is the first trade-off. At USD 160.95, it's more than a typical trade book, so it may be a hard sell for individual librarians on a personal budget. The targeted scope also means that public librarians, school librarians, or hobbyists will find little direct relevance. Additionally, the "crash course" language hints that the book provides an overview rather than deep technical troubleshooting or printer maintenance guidance. For those seeking step-by-step hardware instructions, a separate technical manual may still be necessary.
Bottom Line
If you work in a medical library and are charged with moving 3D printing from idea to service, this hardcover guide provides a targeted, professional orientation. Weigh the cost against the time you'll save and the credibility it can lend to your planning. For the intended audience, the focused scope likely outweighs the price. Outside that audience, the niche subject makes it an easy pass.
