Printing on Public Workstations

[CAROLINE at lib.uttyl.edu]

Hello Deborah Orf and the rest of the list!

Our library serves a student pop. of about 4000.  We too 
have been suffering the printing question, and still do 
not charge for printing.  After much deliberation we 
have done the following:

We provide printing at 4 dumb terminal workstations that 
have access to our library catalog and some periodical 
indeces.

We also have three P.C.'s where students can access FULL 
TEXT databases, the internet via Netscape or Mosaic, and 
about 8 CD-ROMs.  At the P.C. workstations we force the 
students to download their data and print elsewhere.  
The student can go to a copy center, or take the info 
home, AND we do provide a dedicated printstation. 

The printstation is an interesting idea that works quite 
well for us.  It is a great way to recycle an old 286 or 
386 computer, while freeing the search stations for use 
by the next patron.  An added bonus for us is having 
 " 4PRINT " software installed on the print P.C.  This 
software will print 4 or 2 regular pages on one sheet of 
paper!  What a difference it makes!  The software is, 
however, not perfect and sometimes prints out some 
screen-capture trash, but the pros still outweigh the 
cons.  

I do not represent the 4PRINT company in any way but if 
you are interested in their product you can call them at 
 1 -800- 527-7647.

Good luck!

Caroline Allen
Reference and Systems
Caroline at lib.uttyl.edu