Maker Machine Policy

Updated 2020

I. Scheduling

A. Patrons are required to earn the specific maker machine badge by taking a one-time, free orientation class prior to making a reservation. Orientation may be taken at any branch that offers orientation for that machine, regardless of where patron expects to make reservations. Children are required to have a badged parent or guardian attend the appointment. Age requirements vary based on the machine reserved. Please see specific machine policy for age requirements.

B. Patrons are required to schedule reservations via the Beanstack reservation system. Patrons are encouraged to contact library staff if there are issues accessing the online reservation system. Patrons are limited to one reservation per day.

C. Patron priority is based on a first come, first served basis based on reservations submitted through the Beanstack reservation system. Reservations should be completed through the online reservation system. Priority will be given to library programs and activities and is subject to staff availability.

D. Patrons will be notified via email for reservation cancellations unless there is an unforeseen circumstance less than 24 hours from their scheduled appointment. In the event of a cancellation with less than 24 hours advance notice, staff will make a courtesy attempt to reach the patron via the provided phone number. This courtesy cannot be guaranteed depending on circumstances at hand. Staff does not have the ability to text patrons.

II. ALL Machine Usage

A. Maker services are available to all ages; however, certain equipment will have minimum age requirements to ensure safety precautions are being taken.

B. Use of maker labs and locations requires patrons to sign a liability waiver. Caregivers of underage children are responsible for supervising their children and must sign a liability waiver for their child.

C. The library reserves the right to share patron projects made on the library’s machines on library marketing materials and social media channels.

D. Maker labs are intended to provide access to maker equipment. Patrons are expected to design and complete their own project. Staff will be present to facilitate machine operation only and are not responsible for file creation or file modifications.

E. Patrons are expected to clean up debris from their projects from both the machine and the lab workspace. A vacuum will be provided if necessary.

III. Individual Machine Policies

A. 3D Printer

      1. Children under 12 years of age must be accompanied by a badged parent or guardian for 3D printer use.
      2. 3D printers may only be used with filament provided by the branch Friends of the Library. For safety and to avoid potential damage to the machines, patrons may not bring and/or use alternative filament.
      3. Payment for printed objects (10¢ /gram) is collected by the Friends of the Library to reimburse the cost of filament and machine maintenance.
      4. Patrons are not required to stay for the duration of a print job once the print successfully begins. Patrons are responsible, however, for coming to the library to retrieve and pay for their objects once completed.
      5. Except in cases of mechanical failure, objects failing to fully print, errors in the print process, or other factors not in a patron’s control, patrons are expected to pay for completed objects and may not request a new print in place of the original due to dissatisfaction with color, scale, quality, design, required support material, or other options pre-selected by the patron.
      6. Objects printed with a raft, supports or brim will be weighed for final cost before their removal.
      7. Objects unclaimed after 7 days may be discarded or recycled.
      8. Printing cannot be scheduled to begin within one-hour prior to closing.
      9. Overnight prints are subject to the discretion and approval of branch staff.

B. Laser Cutter/Etcher

      1. Children under 16 years of age must be accompanied by a badged parent or guardian for Laser machine use.
      2. Patrons must remain at the laser while it is in operation. The laser must not be left unattended while in use.
      3. Patrons are required to provide their own materials.
      4. Laser cutting machines require careful review of materials to ensure safe operation. All materials used in the laser cutter/etcher must be approved by Lab Staff. Upon inspection, use of material may be denied at staff discretion.
      5. For patron and machine safety, PVC or chloride-containing materials are specifically prohibited.
      6. Please note that our machines do not cut metal or glass.
      7. Material costs are not reimbursed. The Library is not responsible for failed jobs or material damaged by the laser cutter.
      8. Patrons can reserve two hours of machine time. However, as the schedule allows, time may be extended based on the availability of equipment and Lab Staff. Reservations of enclosed systems may not exceed three hours to allow for the system to cool down.
      9. Reservations cannot be scheduled within 30 minutes of location closing time. Additionally, laser cutter jobs cannot begin within 30 minutes of location closing time.

C. Vinyl Cutter, Cricut, & Heat Press

      1. Children under 16 years of age must be accompanied by a badged parent or guardian to use the vinyl cutter and heat press.
      2. Patrons must remain with the vinyl cutter and heat press while it is in operation. The vinyl cutter and heat press must not be left unattended while in use.
      3. Patrons are required to provide their own materials.
      4. Vinyl cutting machines and heat presses require careful review of materials to ensure safe operation. All materials used in the vinyl cutter and heat press must be approved by Lab Staff. Upon inspection, use of material may be denied at staff discretion.
      5. Material costs are not reimbursed. The Library is not responsible for failed jobs or materials damaged by the vinyl cutter or heat press.
      6. Patrons can reserve two hours of machine time. However, as the schedule allows, time may be extended based on the availability of equipment and Lab staff.

D. CNC Mill/Router

      1. Children under 16 years of age must be accompanied by a badged parent or guardian to use the CNC mill.
      2. Patrons must remain with the CNC mill while it is in operation. The CNC mill must not be left unattended while it is in use.
      3. Patrons can reserve two hours of machine time. However, as the schedule allows, time may be extended based on the availability of equipment and Lab Staff.
      4. Patron are required to provide their own materials.
      5. CNC mills require careful review of materials to ensure safe operation. All materials used in the CNC mill must be approved by Lab Staff. Upon inspection, use of material may be denied at staff discretion.
      6. Materials costs are not reimbursed. The Library is not responsible for failed jobs or materials damaged by the CNC mill.
      7. The library will provide a limited selection of basic end mills, fixturing, and other tooling for use. Patrons may bring their own specialty end mills and tooling for use in the CNC mills at the discretion of Lab Staff.

E. Specialized Machines:  All other machines and equipment are subject to the general machine usage policy, and the use of equipment may be denied at staff discretion.

      1. Vacuum Former

a. Children under 16 years of age must be accompanied by a badged parent or guardian to use the vacuum former.
b. Patrons must remain at the vacuum former while it is in operation. The vacuum former must not be left unattended while in use
c. Patrons are required to provide their own materials.
d. Material costs are not reimbursed. The Library is not responsible for failed jobs or materials damaged by the vacuum former.
e. Vacuum former machines require careful review of materials to ensure safe operation. All materials used in the vacuum former must be approved by Lab Staff. Upon inspection, use of material may be denied at staff discretion. For patron and machine safety, PVC or chloride-containing materials are specifically prohibited.
f. Patrons can reserve one hour of machine time. However, as the schedule allows, time may be extended based on the availability of equipment and Lab staff.

2. Soldering Iron

a. Children under 16 years of age must be accompanied by a badged parent or guardian to use the soldering iron.
b. Patrons are required to wear gloves & safety goggles when using the soldering iron. Lab staff can provide protective equipment.
c. Patrons must ask for staff assistance to set up an exhaust system or work in a well-ventilated area before operating the soldering iron.
d. The soldering iron is not recommended for extended use.

3. Sewing Machine & Serger

a. Patrons are required to provide their own thread, fabric, and other materials. Needles are provided.
b. Patrons can reserve two hours of machine time. However, as the schedule allows, time may be extended based on the availability of equipment and Lab Staff.

IV. Restrictions

A. Harris County Public Library’s maker machines may be used only for lawful purposes. Users will not be permitted to use the Library’s maker machines to create material that is:

    • Prohibited by local, state or federal law.
    • Unsafe, harmful, dangerous, poses an immediate threat to the well-being of others, or is otherwise inappropriate for the Library environment. (Such use may also violate the terms of use of the manufacturer.)
    • In violation of another's intellectual property rights. For example, the maker machines will not be used to reproduce material that is subject to copyright, patent or trademark protection.

B. The Library reserves the right to refuse any project request.
C. Drinks within closed containers are allowed. Food and/or open drink containers are not allowed near any maker equipment.
D. Supervision of the use of the maker machines by Library staff does not constitute knowledge or acknowledgment of any unapparent final use of the product, and the Library specifically disclaims any knowledge thereof.
E. The library does not accept responsibility if a project is destroyed, does not print correctly, does not work, of if any of the patron’s personal material is damaged or destroyed while using library maker machines.
F. Users may not plug personal computer equipment such as external storage devices into the Library’s computer network or maker machines without approval from staff at the time of machine use.
G. Abuse of machines and/or scheduled lab time may result in the loss of use privileges.

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