{"id":15335,"date":"2020-05-13T13:00:26","date_gmt":"2020-05-13T13:00:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.temple.edu\/librarynews\/?p=15335"},"modified":"2020-05-13T13:04:33","modified_gmt":"2020-05-13T13:04:33","slug":"alone-in-charles-library-makerspace-manager-takes-part-in-university-wide-effort-to-make-ppe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.temple.edu\/librarynews\/2020\/05\/13\/alone-in-charles-library-makerspace-manager-takes-part-in-university-wide-effort-to-make-ppe\/","title":{"rendered":"Alone in Charles Library: Makerspace Manager Takes Part in University-Wide Effort to Make PPE"},"content":{"rendered":"

About nine months ago, the new Charles Library<\/a> opened on Temple Main Campus. This forward-thinking academic library in the heart of campus was a cause for much celebration, and it quickly became an integral hub for gathering and collaborating, study and research, creating and exploring.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n

And then the COVID-19 pandemic hit. In mid-March, Temple made the decision to move all courses online and closed most university buildings. That included our brand new Charles Library.<\/p>\r\n

\"photo<\/a>

The empty Charles Library atrium<\/p><\/div>\r\n

Charles Library is empty now of people, save for one: Makerspace<\/a> Manager David Ross. In the Loretta C. Duckworth Scholars Studio<\/a> on the third floor of Charles Library, David is putting the 3D printers, laser cutters, and other equipment in our production-oriented facility to work.<\/p>\r\n

David is part of a university-wide task force<\/a> comprised of Temple faculty, staff, and students that assembled to answer the question: what can we do to help address the critical shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) for medical professionals?<\/p>\r\n

Named the Temple University COVID-19 Assistance Team (TUCAT), this cross-disciplinary effort began in March and is still ongoing. The team spans across the university, from the College of Engineering and College of Science and Technology to Tyler School of Art and Architecture to Temple Libraries, Temple Health, and the Office of the Vice President for Research. The team members are practicing social distancing and working separately to avoid any further spread.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n

So what\u2019s it like to be in Charles Library alone? David says it\u2019s a bit lonely, though there are a few perks, including:<\/p>\r\n