Franklin trustees reaffirm 3-D printer policy after trimming privacy language

The Franklin Public Library Board of Trustees voted to reaffirm its 3-D printer policy on March 24, 2025, after trustees struck language that appeared to guarantee patron privacy in legal matters.

Board members debated a paragraph that said the library “will not share information about a patron’s legal activities with third parties.” Library staff and trustees said that sentence could be misleading if the library were served with a subpoena or otherwise required by law to disclose information. Trustees agreed to keep the core operational provisions — that staff will review every object before printing and that the library reserves the right to refuse any print request — and remove the sentences promising not to disclose legal activities.

Trustees also clarified technical points: staff confirmed patrons are charged for filament and other consumables, that files are reviewed by the staff member who operates the printer, and that prohibited materials (for example, weapons or items that would violate copyright, patent or trademark law) remain barred from printing. Staff noted that patrons may upload 3-D files through the library website and that staff (identified in the meeting as Sam) assists with the printing process.

The motion to reaffirm the policy, with the specified deletions, passed without opposition.

Trustees said they intend to add or confirm a clear copyright statement in the policy and to keep the policy on the review cycle for the board’s future updates.