The Wauwatosa Public Library Children’s Department is requesting 2026 Library Agency Trust funding to purchase SimplyPrint, a cloud-based 3D printer management platform, to integrate Bambu Labs A1 printers with 31 iPads used in youth programming. The original plan to use the Pikaslice slicer became unworkable when it shifted to a full subscription model that would cost over one thousand dollars annually for all devices, prompting staff to research alternative management solutions that keep printers off the public Wi‑Fi. After evaluating multiple products and consulting education and makerspace forums, staff identified SimplyPrint as the only option that supports their iPad environment, multi‑staff use, and security requirements for an open public network. They have already prototyped a secure architecture using a Raspberry Pi hotspot and an IT‑provided laptop and now seek $720 for a 2026 SimplyPrint license, with ongoing costs to be moved into the 2027 operating budget. This is a live pre‑purchase ask; vendors in library-focused print management, edtech integration, or related support can position themselves around implementation, training, or alternative solutions as the Board considers the request.

Request is specifically to use Library Agency Trust funds; staff have an initial technical design in...