As part of the Community Library of Dewitt & Jamesville’s new “Digital Gateway” initiative, they will launch a Digital Design Station in The HIVE makerspace — a new service that will assist patrons who wish to convert old media or learn 3D design in conjunction with the library’s 3D printer.
The Digital Design Station, available for use beginning in May 2018, lets patrons perform different digitization and design functions including digitization of photos and VHS tapes, 3D modelling and 3D scanning.
With the Digital Design Station, patrons can convert VHS home movies to DVD, or an electronic file transferred to a USB drive. Electronic photos can be easily shared with friends and family by email, Facebook or other image sharing platforms, and videos can be uploaded to YouTube, distributed on multiple DVD copies or stored on a portable drive. The station features a desktop computer with enhanced graphics hardware, two scanners, a VHS/DVD combo drive, TV and Elgato video conversion hardware.
The enhanced graphics capability of the station allows patrons to create complex 3D images with Tinkercad or Sculptris, scan 3D objects using the Kinect 360 camera and print them on the Lulzbot 3D printer.
The library’s staff has created guides for the Digital Design Station’s major functions for patrons of all levels of technical proficiency to use in conversion or creation activities. These guides feature easy-to- follow, explanatory pictures and are available for photo scanning, 3D printing, VHS to DVD conversion and technical troubleshooting.
Patrons interested in a demonstration of this Digital Design Station are encouraged to register for the “Digital Design Workshop” in the Hive Makerspace on Saturday, May 12th at 3:00 p.m. Limited assistance is available by booking a one-on- one tech appointment and specifying design station assistance. The Digital Design Station kit can be borrowed with a valid library card at the Information Desk.
Any questions about the “Digital Gateway” or related equipment can be directed to the library at 315-446- 3578.
