MakerLab Workshops at the Library

Join the After Hours 3D Printing Group
Do you want to learn how to use a 3D printer and print your files on your own? Get trained! Let's talk about our processes and how you can join what we call the After Hours 3D Printing Group.

There are trainings every week, see if one fits your schedule. Don't see a time that works? We're happy to make time! Just email Amy Vecchione, amyvecchione@boisestate.edu, or Deana Brown, deanabrown@boisestate.edu to schedule.

Scientific origami
Making origami can be fun and functional, but did you also know it can be scientific? Gain a whole new understanding of DNA by creating a 3D model with paper, while learning about DNA research being done by The Nanoscale Materials and Device Group. Register now for Friday, 4/8/16 @ 3:00 PM.

Circuit Stickers
Create a memento that appears to magically light up. These are high-tech stickers with embedded LEDs and circuitry. No need to bring your soldering iron, we’ve got copper tape. All supplies provided, just bring your imagination! Register now for Thursday, 4/14/2016 @ 1 PM.

New Workshops Added!

 

NEW Join the After Hours 3D Printing Group

Do you want to learn how to use a 3D printer and print your files on your own? Get trained! Let's talk about our processes and how you can join what we call the After Hours 3D Printing Group. There are trainings every week, see if one fits your schedule. Don't see a time that works? We're happy to make time! Just email Amy Vecchione, amyvecchione@boisestate.edu, or Deana Brown, deanabrown@boisestate.edu to schedule.

NEW Starting with Python Picking a programming language can be difficult, especially when there are so many languages and so many different applications out there. Not only is Python easy to learn and faster to program with, it is the first choice of organizations like Youtube, Reddit, and Industrial Light & Magic. This workshop will take you through the essentials of programming and get you started writing and editing your own programs. Register now for Thursday, 3/17/2016, 11am. NEW Scientific origami Making origami can be fun and functional, but did you also know it can be scientific? Gain a whole new understanding of DNA by creating a 3D model with paper, while learning about DNA research being done by the The Nanoscale Materials and Device Group. Register now for Friday, 4/29/2016, 2:30pm.

NEW Paper Baskets Desk Set

Are you constantly misplacing your keys? Need something to corral your pens? Don’t spend a fortune buying something, make it out of paper! Learn how to use the library’s Silhouette cutter and let your imagination go wild. Register now for Thursday, 3/10/2016, 1pm.

NEW Circuit Stickers
Create a memento that appears to magically light up. These are hightech stickers with embedded LEDs and circuitry. No need to bring your soldering iron, we’ve got copper tape. All supplies provided, just bring your imagination! Register now for Thursday, 4/14/2016, 1pm.

Getting in Touch with Your Arduino

Have you ever thought about learning to code? Many people want to learn, but never do because they can’t see how it could fit into their everyday life. This workshop will teach you the basics of Arduino coding, electronics and breadboard prototyping. By using capacitive touch sensors, you can interface the Arduino with objects all around you! Register now for Friday 3/4/2016 noon.

Research Community: Coffee & Donuts

The campus research community is invited to the monthly Coffee and Donuts forum from 9-11 a.m. on Thursday, March 3rd in the Albertsons Library's MakerLab space. 

SCHEDULE

9 - 10 a.m. – Open forum to mingle

10 - 11 a.m. – Round table discussion

Learn About Opportunities for Early Career Research Funding

Opportunities Abound for Early Career Research Funding! The March 3rd Coffee and Donuts will feature a round table discussion facilitated by Harold Blackman, associate vice president of Research and Economic Development. The round table goal is to introduce the variety of early career funding opportunities available to new faculty, discuss strategies for preparing for and responding to solicitations, and  highlight some lessons learned. During the hour round table, research development and grant specialist staff, library personnel, and faculty will present and share:

• Share “Funding Strategies & Opportunities for New & Early Career Faculty" toolkit, including resources for funding opportunities that span the disciplines
• Provide a template for developing your individual research plan
• Provide an NSF CAREER grant “Prep Sheet” to jump start attendees for the CAREER workshop on March 18
• Lessons learned from faculty who have recently submitted on a variety of “new faculty” funding opportunities

You can also sign up for a one-on-one with the Research Computing Services Department’s programmer, system administrator, or HPC engineer to learn more about research computing tools and resources.

Library archivists find use for the MakerLab’s 3D printers

3D printed camera mount for tabletop photography

Special Collections and Archives needed a mount to join a 1980s fiber optic light source to a standard accessory mount on a Canon G15. This was an easy fix with 3D design. Digital Archivist Jim Duran designed an adapter using Tinkercad that included a tab that would slip into the camera’s accessory mount and a hole to screw in the light source flange.

He printed this design using the Library’s LulzBot Mini 3D printer. We found out the printing software Cura was accidentally set to a different filament type and the print came out a little distorted, but it still worked.

The original adapter used threads to screw into a SLR camera. New
cameras, specifically our Canon G15, does not have these threads.

The camera mounted to the overhead equipment with the
fiber optic tube connected.

A better view of the fiber optic light source.

This is the frame projected through the camera onto the work surface
through the viewfinder. The operator could then make sure the
artifact is within the borders and aligned properly.

An example of a the viewfinder light projected onto a portrait.
With this lighting the operator can make sure the camera will
get the entire painting. The operator will then switch to
the 45 degree lighting for shooting.

The final product, a portrait of former football head coach
Lyle Smith, captured using the tabletop camera.

Using free software like TinkerCad, and the Library’s 3D printers, make it easy for students and staff to problem solve everyday challenges. 

Jim Duran,
Special Collections and Archives

The Library Welcomes You to Fall 2015!

The #GIMM Lab's getting new furniture & will also sport a DIRTT (Doing It Right This Time) wall. #3rdSpace #construction2015 #MakerLab #BoiseState ^MC

A photo posted by Albertsons Library (@albertsonslibrary) on Aug 4, 2015 at 12:07pm PDT

We're excited to have you back on campus! The library has gone through several transformations during the summer to accommodate several new campus ventures: the new GIMM (Gaming Interactive Media, and Mobile Technology) space, located on the first floor of the library (where Microforms used to be); the College of Innovation and Design, located on the 2nd floor of the library; and the library's own MakerLab, which will house our 3D printing, audio & video editing, microcomputing, and more.

To integrate these changes library staff shifted and moved about 850,000 volumes from the stacks, which means some things have been relocated--our audiovisual materials (DVDs, VHS, books on tape/CDs) are now on the third floor, and Government Documents will be located on the fourth floor. We will be adapting and updating you throughout the semester as projects are completed.

Other services you can enjoy at the library include:

• Wireless networking choices throughout the building 
• A computer lab on the first & second floors running the latest Microsoft Office suite
• Interested in 3D printing? We have them and we'll show you how to use them!
• Scanners and multiple BroncoPrint stations, including wireless printing
• Access to over 320+ research databases
• Library hours for the semester are listed in our calendar
• Browse Boise State research and scholarship via ScholarWorks
• Check out Mac and PC laptops, as well as iPads, chargers, headphones & other gear from the Circulation desk on the first floor
• Huge collection of eBooks via the library catalog
• Reserve study rooms in the library
• Streaming video databases on a wide range of subjects--watch online or on your portable device
• Subject guides in fields such as Digital Humanities, Raptor Studies, Management, Anthropology, and many more via the library's subject guides
• A Starbucks on the first floor, next to the library's main entrance
• Have questions about research, campus, or anything at all? We’re available to help you via our Help page or our social media channels like Facebook, and Twitter. We're well represented on Pinterest and Instagram too. 
• In a rush? Text us your questions at (208) 546-9982

We strive to make your research and study spaces as comfortable and useful as possible. Welcome to your Boise State Library. We hope you have a fantastic fall semester!

Making room for the College of Innovation and Design

Did you read the Update news blurb about changes and improvements to Albertsons Library this summer? We're making room for more than just the MakerLab! The last paragraph states, "The library will also host the College of Innovation and Design (COID) offices on the second floor. In order to make room for the new college, the library will be relocating furniture and collections."  

Well, what does that mean? It means the Curriculum Resource Center (CRC) on the second floor of the library is shifting and moving to make space for the COID dean's office, associate dean's office, administrative assistant area, conference room, and a collaborative lab space. These offices will be located on the North side of the 2nd floor. This construction project will begin next week, and conclude sometime during the Fall semester.   

What is moving where?

Here is a what will remain the same:

• Dewey​/Curriculum​ collection (​p​K-12) will remain on the 2nd floor, just shifted a little bit
• ​p​K-12 Idaho adoption textbooks will ​still be on the 2nd floor near the Dewey collection
• You can still check-out ​p​K-12 materials at the circulation desk on the 1st floor​ (and return them there)​

Here is what will change:

• Non-K-12 DVDs and CDs will move to the 3rd floor
• Margie Ruppel's office will now be on the first floor, near Starbuck's. She will continue to be the library liaison to the College of Education.
• Roberta Pena's considerable experience and skills are being transferred to a new position in our Technical Services unit
• Assistance with K-12 materials will now be provided from the 1st floor reference desk, where there are a variety of ways to contact us, or just stop by!

Margie Rupple and Mary Aagard waiting to assist you at the reference desk

Library faculty members and staff are excited to partner with and host the COID. We can't wait to see what this new college brings to Boise State!

Follow along with this project, and construction on the first floor, as Albertsons Library makes room for the MakerLab (and the COID).