Skip to Main Content

Innovation Studio

Innovation Studio Policies

The Xavier University Library Innovation Studio (MakerSpace) is a DIY space for use by all current Xavier students, staff and faculty from any department. Alumni who have graduated within the past two years also have access to the Innovation Studio. Members must have a current valid X-card and must attend a training with one Innovation Studio Team Member.

Prior to using the MakerSpace, each patron must review the use policies and sign a release waiver.

There is currently no cost for 3D printing or use of any Innovation Studio equipment, tools, or materials. The space is primarily used for working with plastic, paper/cardboard, cloth, acrylic, and wood materials.  We provide basic materials only. The Innovation Studio will be open only when staffed. 

Code of Conduct

  Courtesy: what do we expect of you and what can you expect of other users

  • Students are responsible for returning equipment to the appropriate storage containers, reporting broken equipment, and cleaning the common use area after working in the area. Failure to do so may result in loss of access to the facility. 

  • Xavier is not responsible for anything left behind in the MakerSpace, so you should be sure to take your materials with you when you are done. If you notice another user forgetting something, you should let them know!

  • For safety reasons, headphones are not allowed.

  • If you observe another user working in a manner you understand to be unsafe, you may politely offer assistance, but if your help is not accepted please take your observation to the Innovation Studio staff or student worker.  If you observe an emergency, please notify staff immediately.

  • If you realize a piece of equipment is broken and is not labeled as such, please notify staff so that we can both flag the item as unusable (or remove it) and commence repairs.

  • Larger files take longer to save and print; do not wait until the end of your time to save or print, especially if another user has the time reserved immediately after you. If your job fails, you should check for other users before restarting it if you are not positive it will be completed in time for the next user.

  • The culture we want to support is one of cooperation, safe exploration, and creativity.

Safety

Please note that if your behavior is unsafe, or we determine you are using machines for which you have not completed training, we reserve the right to remove your name from the list of people allowed to use the space for the remainder of the term. We would prefer to never impose this penalty.

  • MakerSpace patrons must review the instruction guides for each piece of powered equipment that is desired to be used and attend training.

  • Appropriate clothing must be worn in the facility; this includes closed toed shoes (no sandals), no loose cuffed clothing around the wrists, no dangling necklaces or bracelets (necklaces can be tucked into a shirt).  

  • Long hair must be pulled back so that is does not dangle in front of equipment or get caught in equipment. This also applies to long beards.

  • General usage and safety guidelines will be posted at the entrance of the MakerSpace and specific safety issues regarding each piece of equipment will be posted at specific equipment stations. 

  • Powered tools in our space are largely for working with wood, paper, cloth, and plastic.

  • Food and drink are prohibited in the MakerSpace.  Please stow your lunch in your backpack or bag.

  • For safety reasons, the use of headphones in the facility is not allowed.

  • All start-up and shut-down procedures for each piece of equipment must be followed every time. Do not leave soldering irons on and unattended, even for a few minutes. 

  • Maximum room capacity is 10 people.

  • In case of a medical emergency call 9-1-1 and then notify the staff of the situation. 

  • During the hours of 8 am - 4 pm, patrons with non-emergency medical issues may go to the campus health center.  Inform desk staff, who will call ahead and tell Campus Health why we are sending a patron to their facility. 

  • In case of after-hours non-emergency medical issues with staff or patrons where a medical evaluation is appropriate, ask desk staff to call XUPD.

Equipment

The studio will have several maker stations consisting of: both Mac and PC computers, 3-D printers, a laser cutter, CNC mills, a sewing machine, a serger, die-cutting machines, Arduino boards and kits, as well as Raspberry Pi single-board computers. Additionally, there will be tools such as soldering irons and materials such as vinyl, wood, and paper for transforming students’ digital ideas into physical reality.

Legal Considerations

  • All MakerSpace users must comply with all Xavier University rules, procedures, and restrictions, including the acceptable use policy.

  • We won't knowingly let you violate copyright laws and licensing agreements. 

  • The MakerSpace’s computers and tools may not be used for advertising, lobbying, or commercial purposes. 

  • Xavier University is not responsible for damage to personal computers, nor for the loss of data or information, nor for liability that occurs from the use of the library’s internet connection, library software, or hardware.

  • Hardware or software on the MakerSpace computers are managed by staff in the Xavier Library.  Modification requests will be considered, but users are not allowed to make those modifications themselves. 

  • All digital fabrication equipment and products are provided by Xavier University on an "as is" basis, without warranties or representations of any sort, expressed or implied, including, but not limited to, warranties of merchantability or fitness for any particular purpose. 

  • Xavier University cannot guarantee confidentiality of designs, nor specific delivery times for objects being printed. 

  • Digital fabrication equipment, including computers and tools in the MakerSpace, may be used only for lawful purposes. No one is allowed to use digital fabrication equipment to create material that is:

    • Unsafe, harmful, dangerous or an immediate threat to the well-being of others.

    • In violation of another's intellectual property rights.  For example, using equipment to replicate someone else’s designs or articles of manufacture may infringe the copyright or patent in those materials. 

  • The University reserves the right to refuse any requests to use its digital fabrication equipment, unless users agree to abide by the policies and procedures listed above. 

  • Users of the Makerspaces agree to this statement on intellectual property:  "I warrant that I am authorized to use the applicable files, data, images, or any other materials (collectively “Content”) in the Makerspace and that the use of the Content will not infringe upon any third-party’s copyright, patent, trademark trade secret or other proprietary or intellectual property rights."

Copyright and Other Legal Restrictions

Copyright law under Title 17 of the United States Code, patent law under Title 35 of the United States Code, and other intellectual property laws of the United States may govern the making of photocopies or other reproductions of content. Under 17 U.S.C. § 108(f)(2) the provision of unsupervised photocopy or reproducing equipment for use by patrons does not excuse the person who uses the reproduction equipment from liability for copyright infringement for any such act, or for any later use of such copy or phono record, if it exceeds fair use as provided by 17 U.S.C. § 107. Nor does it excuse the person who uses the reproducing equipment from liability for patent, tort or other laws.

This institution reserves the right to refuse to make available or provide access to photocopy or other reproducing equipment if, in its judgment, use of such equipment would involve violation of copyright, patent or other laws.

Weapon Making Prohibited

Based on Xavier’s policy, weapons of any kind may not be made. Objects understood to have a primary function as a weapon are not allowed on campus. The production of weapons, facsimiles of weapons or replicas of weapons is prohibited in the Xavier Library Makerspace. This includes parts of weapons, ammunition, and defensive as well as offensive weapons.

Student Workers

The students who are assigned to work in the Innovation Studio follow the Student Employee Conduct Policy set by the User Services Supervisor.   While assigned to work in the Innovation Studio, they will be able to use their Xavier ID to get access to the Innovation Studio.  It will be explained to the students that they are not to enter the Makerspace at other times and that misuse of this privilege, can be considered as a justification for termination of employment.