Paying for printing

[Charles P. Hobbs]

Our library, which currently allows free, unlimited printer use (for
Internet and database searching) is considering charging for this service.

The options we've discussed are

a. Investing in a "debit-card" system (which would cost about $10-15K to
buy and set up) or

b. Placing the printer behind the circulation counter, and patrons would
pay the
circulation staff before receiving any printouts. This is obviously less
expensive in terms of equipment, but may be an additional imposition on
the circulation staff.

Also, the issue of differentiating between mediated searches and other
printing was brought up. There was strong support for not charging for any
printing done in conjunction with a mediated search; another idea involved 
not charging for only the first few pages (say 10 or so) done with a
mediated search.

Charging for printing after we've offered it for free for so many years is
definitely going to start some people complaining. But the rising cost of
printing (we use a box of copier paper per month, plus toner, etc. for
this) is forcing our hand . . .


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Charles P. Hobbs                          __  __     ____  ___       ___ ____
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