While its facility is closed, the Airdrie Public Library (APL) is putting some of its equipment to use in an effort to support frontline workers who are battling COVID-19.
According to library director Pamela Medland, APL’s two 3D printers are currently being used to produce items to enhance the safety and comfort of health-care workers.
“Just like every organization and, I think, every Canadian, we’re all looking for ways that we can help contribute,” she said. “We thought, ‘This is great, we can make our equipment available to make a product that could be of immediate use in this crisis.’”
The library has reached a loan agreement with Rayvin Maddock, a local artist who specializes in 3D printing. Maddock approached APL with an idea to use the printer to produce personal protective equipment (PPE).
“I was looking for ways to use my 3D printers to help the community,” Maddock said, adding she was inspired by stories of other people in the United States and Europe producing PPE with the printers.
Maddock said her 3D printer was not ideal for creating flexible items like face shields, but she realized the models owned by APL were well-suited for those items.
“I said, ‘Hey, since you’re closed, would you mind – since the printer’s probably sitting there not being used right now – if we can put it to work doing some stuff for PPE,” she said.
According to Medland, APL was excited by the idea and agreed to donate the equipment temporarily.
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The face shields Maddock will be making are considered a Class 1 medical device, and she said she has been in contact with a Calgary group – Shield Makers YYC – who is working with Alberta Health Services on an approved version of the shields that can be 3D printed.
“They’re getting the approval [and] they’re doing a bunch of different revisions with input from AHS,” Maddock said. “There’s actually someone that’s going to be procuring the licence that you need to produce them as a medical device. The community of 3D printers will be printing, they’ll be sanitized and put through this one particular route so that everything’s official and they’re coming, technically, from one source.”
Once she can begin production, Maddock said the library’s printer can produce one face shield every 12 hours. Other individuals in Airdrie with access to 3D printers have reached out to her to find out how they can get involved, and she has created a Facebook page, Airdrie Makers COVID Hub to co-ordinate production efforts locally.
As an immunocompromised person and survivor of breast cancer with lots of recent contact with the medical field, Maddock said it was important for her to use her talents to support those on the frontline of the pandemic.
“If I have the materials and the ability to help, and some income still coming in to help fund that, I’m more than happy to try and support the community,” she said. “I think that if the community also sees people helping and has that to focus on, it also helps them find places where they can help and take their mind off of the negative.”
The printing project also serves as a sort of distraction from the overwhelming fear and stress that accompanies the coronavirus.
“Helping other people is helping keep my mind in that positive place,” she said.
Meanwhile, Medland said APL’s other 3D printer continues to be available to the community, but has also been pressed into use to make “ear savers.” said.
“It’s based on a pattern that was forwarded to me from some contacts in British Columbia,” she said. “They’re a little plastic strap that goes behind the head.”
Masks can be hooked to the ear savers, which pull the elastics away from the ears and provide a little more comfort.
“It’s not official PPE, so we don’t have to worry about certification,” Medland said.
Airdrie Community Health Centre requested 15 ear savers, and APL has the capacity to print 50 a week.
Ben Sherick, AirdrieToday.com
Follow me on Twitter @BenSherick
