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library services

    Empowering Independence: 3D Printed Adaptive Technologies at the University of Alberta Library

    by Guest Author
    written by Guest Author

    The University of Alberta Library is proud to showcase a collection of innovative 3D printed adaptive technologies. These devices, created to assist individuals with disabilities in their daily lives, highlight the potential of 3D printing to produce affordable, customizable solutions.

    Showcasing Adaptive Solutions

    Our display features three groundbreaking 3D printed adaptive technologies:

    Key Turner

    • This innovative tool offers increased leverage and a larger gripping surface, making it easier for individuals with limited dexterity or grip strength to turn keys in locks. It is especially helpful for those experiencing hand discomfort or weakness, promoting greater independence in a simple yet essential daily activity.

    Bottle Opener

    • This bottle opener clamps onto standard water bottle caps. It allows for easy opening and closing with minimal force, making hydration more accessible for people with limited hand strength.

    Pen Holder

    • This writing aid slips onto the palm, enabling users with limited finger dexterity to hold pens or pencils securely. Its adjustable design accommodates various hand sizes and writing utensils, supporting educational and professional pursuits for individuals with hand mobility challenges.

    Accessing 3D Printing at UAlberta

    The University of Alberta Library is excited to offer free 3D printing services to our community. Students, faculty, and staff can submit 3D models for educational or research purposes at no cost. This service is available at both Cameron Library and the new Geoffrey and Robyn Sperber Health Sciences Library.

    How it works:

    1. Submit your 3D model through our online portal
    2. Our staff evaluates the submission
    3. If approved, we print your item
    4. Pick up your finished print at your chosen library location

    With state-of-the-art Prusa MK4 printers and a variety of PLA filament colors available, we’re equipped to bring your adaptive technology ideas to life.

    Join the Innovation

    Whether you’re interested in creating adaptive devices, prototyping research instruments, or exploring the possibilities of 3D printing, UAlberta Library is here to support your journey. Visit our 3D printing display at Cameron or Sperber Library to see these adaptive technologies in person and learn more about how you can leverage our services.

    By making 3D printing accessible to our community, we’re not just creating objects – we’re empowering individuals and fostering innovation.

    For more information, have a look at our guide to the 3D Printing Service @ The U of A Library .

    Thank you to Virginia Pow, Librarian (Sciences), for authoring this post.

    This content is licensed under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Creative Commons licence.

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  • Celebrating Open Publishing at the U of A Library 

    by Guest Author
    by Guest Author

    International Open Access Week runs from October 21 – 27; this year’s theme is focused on “Community over Commercialization.” Open Access Week celebrates the importance of making scholarship openly available to serve the best interests of the public and the academic community. The open publishing program at the University of Alberta Library has been driven by the same sense of service for many years.  Libraries around the world, including the U of…

  • Celebrating our 1 Year Anniversary of Sperber Library: Sperberversary!

    by Meghan Staal
    by Meghan Staal

    Happy 1st birthday to our Geoffrey + Robyn Sperber, Health Sciences Library! And what a year it has been! We opened our doors for the first time on September 29, 2023, and during the past year, we have welcomed many visitors into Sperber’s beautiful new learning spaces to study and work collaboratively, or to make use of Sperber’s innovative digital scholarship services and community-focused indigenous learning space.  We invite you to learn…

  • NEW Fall 2024 Pilot: Mediated Course Materials Service

    by Guest Author
    by Guest Author

    Do you want to make your course materials available for your students through the University of Alberta Library, but have not had time to learn and use our Talis Aspire system? We know you have a lot on your plate and we want to help. Please try out our Mediated Course Materials Service!  We will pilot this service for instructors to have reading lists created in Talis Aspire by the Course Materials…

  • 2023/2024 Academic Year – Library Wrap Up – Part 2

    by Meghan Staal
    by Meghan Staal

    We are thrilled to keep shining a spotlight on the accomplishments of our exceptional colleagues at the University of Alberta Library! This second part of our library wrap-up further demonstrates our team’s commitment to delivering outstanding services and collections that meet the complex information needs of the U of A community. Our instructors, including subject librarians, librarians and library staff, teach undergraduate and graduate students across all the U of A Colleges…

  • 2023/2024 Academic Year – Library Wrap Up

    by Meghan Staal
    by Meghan Staal

    As we wrap up classes for the winter term at the University of Alberta, it’s a great time to reflect on this past academic year. All of our locations buzzed with activity, with many students, faculty, and visitors coming in to read, study, borrow materials and make use of our many different services. One of our biggest achievements is the opening of our new Geoffrey & Robyn Sperber Health Sciences Library, with…

  • DIGITAL SERVICES @ Sperber library

    by Guest Author
    by Guest Author

    The Geoffrey and Robyn Sperber Health Sciences Library (opened Sept 2023) in ECHA now has three exciting digital services available for University of Alberta staff and students.  Virtual Reality Lab The Virtual Reality (VR) lab is a dedicated space for UofA staff and students to experience virtual reality, such as viewing the inside of a human body in three dimensions, visualizing and building chemical compound proteins and nucleic acids, or experiencing what…

  • Browsing our Collections – Mysteries 

    by Elisabet Ingibergsson
    by Elisabet Ingibergsson

    Browsing the library shelves at the University of Alberta Library can be a fairly daunting process. We have eight library locations spread across three campuses! We also have access to physical resources at our partner NEOS libraries. Where to begin? Today we shine the light on new releases in the mystery genre to keep you reading into the long winter night.  Whether you like your frights with serial killers, paranormal activity, or a…

  • Interact with Our Library | How to Access & Retrieve

    by Junelle Mah
    by Junelle Mah

    Our University of Alberta Library locations have been a flurry of activity as we welcomed students back to U of A for the new semester. As folks settle back into their on-campus routines, interacting with the library becomes a vital part of academic life. Here’s how to access not only the library, but also how to retrieve items from the library efficiently as you go about your busy day. Placing a hold:…

  • University of Alberta Librarians Take Position on Open Access Publishing 

    by Guest Author
    by Guest Author

    On April 19th, librarians at the University of Alberta endorsed a Position Statement on Open Access for University of Alberta Librarians, which demonstrates their commitment to open scholarship through their own professional practice and research.  Our engagement with open scholarship: The University of Alberta Library (UAL) has a long history of engagement with open scholarship: librarians support and promote faculty sharing research through well-established open repository and open publishing programs, invest in…

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