Educational Media Services debuted its new 3-D printer in Nicholson Library.

The printer sits in the front of the library beside the front desk, alone on a table by the windows.

Lige Armstrong, the multimedia support specialist at the library, is familiar with the workings of the new printer.

“It’s a 3-D printer that takes a virtual object that’s designed,” Armstrong said, “and prints them out layer by layer.”

Sara Levering, ’17, event coordinator at the library, said, “We got a 3D printer, because other academic institutions have been using them for a while now. They’ve proven to be really useful academically for various departments.”

Students are allowed to use the printer if they fill out a waiver online and pay a small fee.

“There is a charge of $2 for (up to) the first 20 grams plus an additional $.10 per gram for each gram over 20 grams of material printed,” according to the EMS website.

Students can then pick up their printed piece at the circulation desk in the library.

“Initially, our idea was that theater would be using it most, but we’ve gotten a ton of interest from various departments since dropping off sample prints in the last couple weeks,” Levering said.

Armstrong has tested the printer himself. He’s printed “a gyroscope, a sword and the stone for the English department” as well as “an articulated robot.”

“Personally, I have printed an elephant and Bowser and Donkey Kong,” Levering said.