Millis Public Library has a 3D Printer
My Library Had Smelly Books My library growing up in West Roxbury did not have very much. It was an old building built in the post war era. It had an expansive reading room and from what I remember a small collection of encyclopedias. It definitely had the smell of very old books. That was about all I remember.
In the olden days, I remember walking up Centre Street with my family to go to the library past the Friendly's Ice Cream (now a bank) and the old Capitol Market which later became NHD and subsequently a Walgreens (I think). Oh the Capitol Market, how I loved thee. I had dreams about riding one of those grocery bins down the conveyor belt of rollers through the chute and out to the curbside pickup. That was the equivalent of today's roller coasters at Six Flags back then. The 70's were exciting times. The
Mobile Office for $1.07 Day!
Yesterday, while I was out on the road on Route 109 in the Millis/Medway area I had an urgent contract that needed to be scanned and emailed before 5:00 PM. I used the local office (aka MacDonald's) for the cost of $1.07 per day or $31.17 a month Simply, the price of a coffee. Tell me how you beat that. My client met me there and we signed the papers.
A Visit with a Friend from The "Old Country" For those of you who know me, you will agree that I can talk a hungry dog off of a meat truck so it will be no surprise that in order for the client to sign two pieces of paper it took me an hour. That's what happens when you put a kid from Roslindale and kid from West Roxbury together. Nonetheless, the agreement was signed. Done deal. Now, I have to move it along.
Did Mrs. Crotchedy with the Garlic in Her Soul Work at Your Library? Now I was running up against a deadline to get the paperwork to all the necessary parties. I pulled out my "smartphone" which if you know me, will realize that it's truly an oxymoron. I Googled Millis Public Library and called them. Jennifer answered politely, unlike dear Mrs. Crotchedy at the Boston Public Library when I was kid. I asked if they had a scanner and she emphatically said "yes".
I ran right over to the library and went to the checkout desk. The building is absolutely gorgeous inside. It has to rival many college campus libraries in the Northeast. I went up to the desk and asked for "Jennifer". Wow! What a greeting. She was welcoming and helpful. Not like the days of my youth in West Roxbury. I remember asking Mrs. Crotchedy for help on my "weather pattern project" and I got a grumbly answer. It reminds you of the song your "mean one Mr. Grinch" complete with garlic in her soul.
In less than two minutes, I had my paperwork (all 12 pages) scanned and then I popped open my laptop and was connected to the WIFI instantly. In another minute, I had paperwork off and to all the parties. WOW! What a long way libraries have come. Not only are they state of the art, but I think they changed the hiring process too.
While I was there, I saw a book that I was interested in looking at. I asked the librarian at the check out desk if my "card" was part of the network. Turns out that it was not. They signed me up instantly with a library card and off I went with the book.
On my way out of the library, I was checking out some of the other things that they offer. WOW! They have a 3d printer. Have you ever seen one of these things? A 3d printer is a machine that let's you design anything on a computer screen using a CAD/CAM type application and let's you instantly print it. It's amazing.
Here is a technical definition from Wikipedia "3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing (AM), refers to various processes used to synthesize a three-dimensional object. In 3D printing, successive layers of material are formed under computer control to create an object. These objects can be of almost any shape or geometry and are produced from a 3D model or other electronic data source. A 3D printer is a type of industrial robot." These printers are so cool. I had to take a picture. The computer screen is on the left and the 3D object that was "printed" is on the printer to the right.
It's so cool how libraries are doing amazing things for their patrons. There is so much more in your local library than you can ever imagine. Believe it or not, you can still find things in the library that you cannot find on Amazon.com. A special thanks to Jennifer and the other staff members at The Millis Public Library. You can visit the Millis Public Library 24 hours a day 365 days a year here
The library is located at:
Millis Public Library
961 Main Street, Millis, MA
(508) 376-8282
See homes in Millis here
Mike Mahoney
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