[Web4lib] Request from Academic Libraries about Charging for Printing

[Allen Jones]

1. we use Pharos's printserver system (http://www.pharos.com). This  
software allows both account based printing and release stations for  
out-of-university patrons (we participate in a regional library  
consortium).  Out of community printing gets picked up at circulation  
points.

2. We use client software on all 1000+ mac and PC workstations.  We  
use student/faculty ID for account based printing (links to LDAP).   
Users choose print queues which decide account based vs. On-demand  
printing.  By pre-selecting default printers for specific rooms, we  
handle most print problems.  The bigger issue for us is color printing  
and handling queue volume.  Our Pharos implementation spans across  
campus - we have a central account db with distributed print servers  
and queues.

3. Academic Technology manages this.  I believe students have a print  
balance per semester that they can add funds to when funds diminish to  
0.

4. 10 cents per page for b&w.  $3.00 per running foot for plotter/ 
large format printing and .50 per page for color.  We offer a variety  
of color qualities (professional press), laserjet and photo quality  
inkjet.  Classes that utilize these services will get print credit for  
these print services.  Cost was determined by committee of admin IT  
Staff, faculty and library staff.

5. Release of any kind slows down printing.  We noticed a 50% drop in  
printing the first semester students were confronted with the pop-up  
of "paying" (funds for printing come out of a semester tech fund).   
Recommended, but the culture shift was difficult - like telling an  
addict they'll have to pace themselves.  The biggest problem for us is  
the staffing the support point to deal with increased questions, but  
it seems lab staff have taken it in stride.

I hope this helps,

Allen Jones

On May 19, 2009, at 2:37 PM,

"Lorraine Martorana" <lmartorana at cecil.edu> wrote:

> Greetings from Cecil College's Cecil County Veterans Memorial Library,
>
>
>
> I am seeking feedback from locations currently charging for printing  
> in
> their library.
>
>
>
> What system/software do you use?
>
>
>
> How do you manage or control it at your location, installed software
> linked to student ID number, use cash, coin, debit card?
>
>
>
> Are students limited to a quantity per semester, or per day?
>
>
>
> What do you charge per page?  How was the cost determined?
>
>
>
> Why it is a good idea, or why it is not a recommended course of  
> action?
>
>
>
> Any and all information that you are willing to share with me is  
> greatly
> appreciated.  In advance, thank you for your response.
>
>
>
> Lorraine Martorana
>
> Director of Library Services
>
> Cecil County Veterans Memorial Library
>
> Cecil College
>
> One Seahawk Dr
>
> North East, MD 21901
>
> lmartorana at cecil.edu
>
>
>
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