Staff photo by Fritz Busch New Ulm Public Library Director April Ide stands next to a Dremel Digilab 3D printer at the library. Fees to use the printer are $2 for the first hour and $1/hr. after that.

NEW ULM — 3D printing, a process that creates a three-dimensional (3D) printed object with think layers of plastic material, is among many services available to Brown County residents at the New Ulm Public Library (NUPL).

Brown County commissioners learned about 3D printing services and other things offered by Brown County public libraries Tuesday.

New Ulm Public Library Director April Ide thanked commissioners for a $5,000 increase to the Brown County library system in the 2024 Brown County budget.

“The increase helped us maintain services, collections and resources,” Ide said.

“We’re seeing more people use the library for a lot of different things now including digitally recording old DHS tapes and slides. Thanks for your support. We’re also applying for grants,” said Ide.

Libraries provide services including, but not limited to, access to tax forms, and Mango Languages, a web or app-based digital language learning tool.

Residents seeking 3D printing services at the New Ulm Public Library should submit a request on the library website.

“It’s a great service,” New Ulm Programming & Technology Services Librarian LeRoy Harris said about 3D printing.

“People have printed a variety of things including plant pots, scale models and machining tool parts,” Harris said.

Other NUPL services include material delivery to local senior living facilities, basic computer classes, and checking out Wi-Fi hot spots.

New Ulm, Sleepy Eye and Springfield public libraries deliver materials to local schools. The Dyckman Free Library in Sleepy Eye delivers materials to local day care sites.

Library accomplishments over the past year include roof replacement in Sleepy Eye and a 38-member book club in Springfield.

The NUPL offered two free art exhibits. It wrote and began implementation of its 2024-2028 strategic plan.

Brown County libraries partner with a number of local agencies to offer programs, services, and resources. Partners include the Brown County Historical Society, United Way of the Brown County Area, Community and Seniors Together (CAST), K-12 schools, Mankato Area Basic Education, the Minnesota DNR and more.

Total Brown County library visits continue to rise with 131,301 in 2023, 124,760 in 2022 and 122,011 in 2021.