Throughout the world there are people missing fingers or entire hands, who struggle every day to do simple tasks and activities. Many of those affected are children longing to have a sense of normalcy and to no longer be teased for being different.

The desperate need for the creation of prosthetic hands has started a global movement where people are using 3D printers to generate functioning prosthetic hands to help improve the quality of life for others.

After nearly a year in the making, the C.H. Booth Library conducted its first instructional class for young adults to learn how they can make these 3D hands in the chbMAKERS' Corner, on September 19.

Newtown High School sophomore Darren Huffman taught more than half a dozen library volunteers the step-by-step process for creating the hands. The goal is that when each student is ready, they will all be able to visit the chbMAKERS' Corner in their free time to make more hands.

"It's not something that can be done in one day," Darren said.

It can take anywhere from two to four days of work to bring one hand to completion, Darren explained, and that is "without printer difficulties."

The design of each hand is preselected, sizing for an adult or child, and is sent as a file on the computer to the library's 3D printer. From there, the printer makes the model layer by layer in any color plastic chosen.

Each individual part, down to the smallest pins, are printed separately, cut of access plastic, and then assembled together.

After the plastic 3D pieces are put together, then stretchy strings are added on top, allowing the hand to close when the wrist is bent.

Each of the 3D prosthetic hands that the library volunteers create will be donated to an organization called e-NABLE, which gives people in need of a hand, one for free.

The e-NABLE organization even supplies all the files and assembly instructions, requiring volunteers to just need access to a 3D printer.

The hands are not only giving people the ability to have more independence by accomplishing tasks they were unable to do before, but they are also instilling a sense of confidence and empowerment in those who previously struggled with feeling different from others.

Now with e-NABLE's 3D printer hands, people are showing off what makes them unique and inspiring others to continue impacting more lives all around the world.

Purposeful Volunteerism

Not only does the library's chbMAKERS' Corner house the 3D printers and necessary supplies to build the hands, but the spot is currently being revamped and will be a place where children, teens, and adults can come together to create meaningful projects to help others.

Making 3D hands will just be the beginning for library patrons to experience hands-on projects that also allow them to interact with people who have similar interests.

The original conception of this outgrowth initiative all started last year when Young Adult Librarian Kim Weber, Systems and Technical Services Librarian Kate Sheehan, Children's Librarian Alana Bennison, and Reference Department Head Andy Forsyth participated in Excite Transformation for Libraries.

"We went to a training through the state library that was funded by the state library and the IMLS, which is the Institute of Museum & Library Services," Ms Sheehan explained.

They focused on coming up with new approaches to design services and conducted focus groups to see what would interest people who come to the library.

What they found, Ms Forsyth explained, was that people want to do something that has a purpose and is not just busywork.

"It didn't matter if they were 12 or 72 [years old], they basically wanted the same thing," Ms Forsyth said.

So, when Ms Weber learned about the build-a-hand initiative through e-NABLE, the library team created their project "MAKEconnections: A platform for meaningful volunteerism through making."

MAKEconnections' purpose involves intergenerational collaboration where volunteers can get together to create functional products for nonprofit organizations that will go on to help real people.

After receiving a grant supporting the MAKEconnections project, the library began organizing the 3D prosthetic hands initiative, and Ms Weber recruited library volunteer Darren Huffman to oversee the project.

Ms Forsyth added, "Darren is so great. He's very invested in doing a good job, making sure it works, that it is assembled properly, and that it is strong."

The library hopes to make several hands, while also encouraging people to discover more social projects they can pursue at the library.

"It's not just about the hands, it's about lending a helping hand," Ms Bennison said. "We are open to new ideas and are interested in what other ideas people have."

Ms Bennison added, "We hope people will feel like it's their space to use and to get creative with their ideas."

This project is made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered by the Connecticut State Library.

Those who are interested in helping create the 3D prosthetic hands or have ideas for future projects can e-mail Kim Weber at chbya@chboothlibrary.org. To learn more about the chbMAKERS' Corner, visit chboothlibrary.org.