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3D Printing Resource Guide

So you want to 3D print! Here are some classes, articles, and web pages to help you get started.

For questions about 3D printing at LCPL's Libratory, see our Libratory page.

Books

Click the titles to reserve.

Getting Started with 3D Printing
Liza Wallach Kloski; Maker Media, 2016.

Includes information on how to use 3D modeling software and tips for fixing your 3D designs.

3D Printer Projects for Makerspaces
Lydia Sloane Cline; McGraw-Hill Education, 2017.

Goes over general information about 3D printing and includes several 3D printing projects.

3D Printing
Cameron Coward; Alpha, a member of Penguin Group (USA), Inc., 2015.

Includes information about what 3D printings is, tips for fixing your 3D designs, and projects to practice with.

LinkedIn Learning Online Courses

LinkedIn Learning is free with your Full Access/Digital Access LCPL card.

Additive Manufacturing: Troubleshoot 3D Prints
Rich Cameron & Joan Horvath, 2021

Goes over common mistakes with 3D printing and how to fix them

Learning Tinkercad
Kacie Hultgren, 2020

A video tutorial on how to use Tinkercad

Desigining a Replacement Part Using 3D Printing
Kacie Hultgren, 2014

Explains how to make a replacement part using 3D printing

Learning 3D Printing
Kacie Hultgren, 2021

Includes information on what 3D printing is, how to create a 3D design for printing, and more.

Articles & Webpages

Top 10 Tips
Anna Kaziunas France; Make: Community, 2013

An overview of some tips for creating 3D designs for printing

Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide
Simplify3D

Sortable guide covering many popular 3D printing materials

How to Use Support Material, Part 1
Scott Cahoon; Matter Hackers, 2016

Describes why you might need support structures and how to choose which type will work best.

Upcoming Events

Storytime: Ages 4-5

Mon, Dec 23, 1:00pm - 1:45pm

Griffith-Calumet Twp - Children's Programming Room

Join us for a storytime for kids 4-5 years old, featuring stories, music and craft, that help develop early literacy skills. Attendees... more

Join us for a storytime for kids 4-5 years old, featuring stories, music and craft, that help develop early literacy skills. Attendees must register.

Reindeer Games

Mon, Dec 23, 3:00pm - 4:00pm

Merrillville - Meeting Room A

Compete in a series of fast-paced games and activities that are sure to get you in the holiday spirit!

Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas - Cozy Christmas Movie Night

Mon, Dec 23, 5:30pm - 7:15pm

Hobart - Large Meeting Room

You are invited to join us for a showing of Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas starring Jim Carrey!

Teen Book Tea

Mon, Dec 23, 6:00pm - 7:00pm

Munster - Large Meeting Room,Munster Zoom Room

Teens, let's spill about books! Each month we'll read and talk about a different book. In December we are reading Etiquette & Espionage... more

Teens, let's spill about books! Each month we'll read and talk about a different book. In December we are reading Etiquette & Espionage by Gail Carriger Pick up books @ Munster Branch.

Thursday Threaders

Thu, Dec 26, 10:30am - 12:30pm

Griffith-Calumet Twp - Meeting Room

Like to cross-stitch, knit, crochet, or do any other craft? Every Thursday, bring and work on your own project while enjoying the... more

Like to cross-stitch, knit, crochet, or do any other craft? Every Thursday, bring and work on your own project while enjoying the company of others.

Teen Anime Club

Thu, Dec 26, 4:00pm - 5:00pm

Griffith-Calumet Twp - Meeting Room

Teens are invited to watch My Hero Academia from the beginning. We'll also have art supplies along with a craft on hand if you get... more

Teens are invited to watch My Hero Academia from the beginning. We'll also have art supplies along with a craft on hand if you get creative. Snacks will be provided.

Baby Play Date

Fri, Dec 27, 10:30am - 11:30am

Hobart - Children's Program Room

Babies (ages birth to 23 months) and their caregivers can join us for an hour of play. Baby safe toys will be provided. Light... more

Babies (ages birth to 23 months) and their caregivers can join us for an hour of play. Baby safe toys will be provided. Light refreshments for caregivers.

Mahjong Open Play: Ages 18 & Over

Fri, Dec 27, 1:00pm - 4:00pm

Dyer-Schererville - Meeting Room Whole (A & B)

Come and play the ancient Chinese game of Mahjong at the library. This is an open play session, there is no instructor but other players... more

Come and play the ancient Chinese game of Mahjong at the library. This is an open play session, there is no instructor but other players may share tips/directions. Please register. Ages 18 & over.

Comfort Reading With a Dog - LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs

Fri, Dec 27, 3:30pm - 4:30pm

Hobart - Children's Area

Meet and read to a local LCC K-9 comfort dog and its handler. LCC K-9 comfort dogs show kindness and calm to people throughout the... more

Meet and read to a local LCC K-9 comfort dog and its handler. LCC K-9 comfort dogs show kindness and calm to people throughout the community and beyond, making them excellent listeners.

Kids Chess Open Play: Ages 6-18

Sat, Dec 28, 10:00am - 12:00pm

Dyer-Schererville - Meeting Room Whole (A & B)

Children are welcome to come and play chess in our meeting room! Chess boards will be provided if you don't have one!

Bingo at the Library!

Sat, Dec 28, 3:00pm - 4:00pm

Lake Station-New Chicago - Large Meeting Room

Join us at the library to play Bingo! All ages are welcome to play. Winners will be able to choose from a variety of small prizes.

Teen Movie: Inside Out 2

Mon, Dec 30, 2:00pm - 4:00pm

Griffith-Calumet Twp - Meeting Room

Teens & Tweens (ages 10 to 18) are invited to see a screening of Inside Out 2. As Riley becomes a teenager, she has to make room for new... more

Teens & Tweens (ages 10 to 18) are invited to see a screening of Inside Out 2. As Riley becomes a teenager, she has to make room for new emotions. Runtime: 100 minutes; rated PG. Snacks provided.

This event is full

Board Meeting

Mon, Dec 30, 4:30pm - 6:00pm

Merrillville - Board Room

Meeting of the Lake County Public Library Board of Trustees

Teen Advisory Board

Mon, Dec 30, 5:30pm - 7:00pm

Dyer-Schererville - Meeting Room Whole (A & B)

The Library is YOUR library. Help your local library create programs and initiatives that help and interest you. We'll brainstorm and... more

The Library is YOUR library. Help your local library create programs and initiatives that help and interest you. We'll brainstorm and discuss ways to improve teen programs.

Whodunit? Adult Mystery Club

Mon, Dec 30, 6:00pm - 8:00pm

Hobart - Large Meeting Room

Join us for this new monthly club as we solve murder mysteries, escape rooms, ponder puzzles, play games, and otherwise ask "Whodunit?".... more

Join us for this new monthly club as we solve murder mysteries, escape rooms, ponder puzzles, play games, and otherwise ask "Whodunit?". This month we will solve the "Murder in the Laboratory"!

Family Noon Year's Eve

Tue, Dec 31, 11:00am - 12:00pm

Merrillville - Children's Programming Room

Join us for an early New Year's Eve Celebration! We'll make a party hat, do the limbo, and gather to bring in the Noon Year together.

Coffee & Coloring

Tue, Dec 31, 11:00am - 12:30pm

Griffith-Calumet Twp - Meeting Room

Relax via this coloring for adults open session. Enjoy a warm cup of coffee or tea while getting creative with no pressure for... more

Relax via this coloring for adults open session. Enjoy a warm cup of coffee or tea while getting creative with no pressure for perfection. Coloring materials provided.

Noon Year's Eve: Ages Birth to 6 Years Old

Tue, Dec 31, 11:30am - 12:00pm

Griffith-Calumet Twp - Children's Programming Room

Join us for a special storytime, for our friends who can't always make it to midnight, featuring songs, rhymes, and crafts.

This event is full

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