Braille Library card

thingiverse

The Bethlehem Public Library offers its vision-impaired patrons a library card that is specifically designed for them, with the name of the library and their unique bar code printed clearly in braille. The card stands out easily from other credit cards and identification cards because of its distinctive size and material. Its designers have also added a scanning code that library staff can use to check out materials quickly and efficiently. An earlier version featured a small hole for attaching it to keychains, but subsequent designs moved this hole to the center edge to improve stability. Initially, there was some uncertainty about how many people would sign up for these special cards. However, response was incredibly positive from the start, with our very first card being issued to a local middle school student who praised its exceptional sturdiness when she received it in person and thanked us later on for creating it for her and also other users. Since then, more than six additional cards have been produced by printing them directly onto our MakerBot Replicator 2 3D printer, which is available to patrons at no charge following a short introductory session. The design of these braille library cards was an innovative remix of the concept found on Thingiverse.com. Specifically, we took their existing two-sided layout featuring barcode information on one side and the library name on the other and further developed it by altering certain script parameters to better meet our patrons' requirements. Key contributions in this regard came from a few volunteers including some library supporters who joined forces with members of the IT department to implement various design changes that allowed for the creation of more aesthetically pleasing corners as well as added additional keychain attachment capabilities. One important aspect to consider when creating such cards is to ensure they print properly from the vertical orientation - otherwise it might create printing issues that could compromise card usability. In general, this unique 3D printed card process took roughly 45 minutes to produce and generated considerable buzz locally among various news outlets, which sparked some level of attention amongst library representatives nationwide leading some to even express interest in pursuing a similar endeavor for their own patrons with visual impairments.