The Contra Costa County library is using its technology resources to help supply critically needed masks to first responders and other essential workers in the community.
The library is using three 3D printers to mass produce Montana masks, and mask clips. The Montana mask has the ability to extend a single surgical mask into six uses and is itself reusable. The clips are used to connect elastic to surgical masks. So far, the Library has printed 28 masks and 1,600 clips.
Members of the Library staff are being deployed as Disaster Service Workers in many ways across the County.
Staffers are helping collect donations of personal protective equipment and childcare supplies, training to perform contact tracing in the months ahead, and providing needed resources in the County’s Emergency Operations Center.
“We want to support the County’s emergency response efforts in any way we can,” said County Librarian Melinda Cervantes. “We have buildings, technology, and people, who can provide critical support in the fight to reduce the spread of COVID-19.”
Why would a library have a 3-D printer?
Well, . . . after all, it’s not like they spent their own money.
A very common thing. Libraries are thought of as just for books, but really they’re a central repository for artistic expression.
Most libraries in our area have 3D printers that you can use. I ended up buying my own for the convenience, but it’s a great thing to have public access to.
The library obtained the printers through a grant to deliver services to the community. They were free, haters need to research their facts before assuming the worst. People really suck these days, can’t stand if a penny of public money goes to help the public.
The Montana mask seems like an excellent idea, lets you cut a n95 into 5 or 6 squares and use each one individually. Each square can be reused a few times itself after allowing to sit untouched for a week or so, to allow any virus on the surface to die.
If only China didn’t hoard all the PPE while spreading the virus.