Frisco Public Library has long been a trailblazer when it comes to emerging technologies, from 3D printing to award-winning, take-home tech kits for patrons to play around with AI. Now, they’ve added another “dimension” with their first public class on 4D printing, a cutting-edge field that fuses fabrication with time-based transformations.

What Is 4D Printing?

While 3D printing builds objects layer by layer, 4D printing takes it a step further by adding time as a functional element. In essence, these printed objects are designed to morph, fold, or reshape themselves over time in response to environmental stimuli like heat or magnetic fields.

“Any 3D printer can be a 4D printer,” explains Thomas Finley, Adult Services Manager at Frisco Public Library. “But conceptually it changes when you start adding hinges or elements that move. It becomes something dynamic.”

The idea of 4D printing may sound futuristic, but its real-world applications are already here. From soft robotics to minimally invasive medical tools, 4D printing is revolutionizing how we think about design.

A Partnership with UNT Brings STEM to the Public

The library recently teamed up with Xinyi Xiao, an Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of North Texas, to introduce 4D printing to the community. Xiao, who specializes in wearable tech and soft robotics, proposed leading a public class that could break down barriers to STEM access.

Xiao has a personal connection because her mother took ESL classes at the Frisco Public Library. “She got a lot of help there,” Xiao says. “It’s a wonderful place. I wish I had something like this growing up.”

“Most learners—especially teenagers—don’t have access to 3D or 4D printing,” says Xiao. “This class was about providing that opportunity and learning about new tech in a public setting.”

The class, hosted at the Frisco Public Library, brought in 30 to 35 attendees, including entire families. Using tools like Tinkercad and basic thermoplastics, participants learned how to create simple, time-responsive models.

“You print one flat geometry, and then apply hot water or a magnetic field to change its shape,” Xiao explained. “It’s low-cost and easy to learn for beginners, and it makes them want to learn more about technology and design.”

A Foundation of Innovation

Frisco Public Library has been building toward this moment for years. Since launching 3D printing services in 2015—with over 160 self-service uses a month across three machines—the library has steadily grown its maker technology offerings. Their laser cutters and vinyl cutters remain popular, but it’s their adaptability and willingness to experiment that stand out.

“4D printing is about thinking differently,” says Finley. “It’s taking what we already do with maker technology and reimagining it.”

Even when the inaugural 4D class faced challenges—like a larger-than-expected group of 25+ students—library staff saw it as a valuable learning experience. “We might have bit off more than we could chew,” Finley laughs, “but it was well received, and that matters.”

The Bigger Picture: AI, Accessibility, and Lifelong Learning

4D printing is just one aspect of Frisco Public Library’s broader commitment to technology education and accessibility. The library began offering AI-related programming back in 2018, winning an Urban Libraries Council (ULC) award in 2019 for its innovation in AI, including DIY AI kits funded by a grant from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and the Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC).

Since then, their programming has expanded into areas like:

• Pop-up lobby classes with titles like “Is it Real or Is It AI?”
• Generative AI art shows using tools like Adobe Firefly
• Dungeons and Dragons game nights with character sheets created by AI
• AI for career exploration, resumes, and infographic creation
• Community partnerships like an AI class taught in Spanish with food, music, and certificates

“We get over a million visitors a year,” Finley remarked on the library’s foot traffic. “So I’m a fan of what I call ‘ambush programming’—engaging people where they already are, right in our lobby.”

Looking Ahead: AI and 4D Printing

The partnership with Professor Xiao is just beginning. Both she and the library are exploring how AI can enhance 4D printing, whether by refining Computer Aided Designs (CAD) or helping users visualize transformations before fabrication.

“There’s huge potential in combining AI with design tools,” Xiao says. “Imagine a platform where middle and high school students can test their ideas, improve them using AI, and then fabricate a working model. It’s empowering.”

The library hopes to expand the 4D printing curriculum later this year, possibly launching new workshops in July or August that weave together design thinking, AI, and real-world problem solving.

Their collaboration demonstrates the power of public libraries as drivers of innovation and Frisco Public Library is always looking for the next thing.  As Finley put it: “We’re not just teaching technology—we’re giving people a new framework for thinking. That’s what makes this work so exciting.”

Stay tuned for more classes, community collaborations, and creative possibilities from this Texas library at the forefront of tech education. We’ll also be covering another program from FPL integrating AI content for Spanish speakers in an upcoming blog post.