summary of responses - charging for printing
Beth Joress
Many thanks to everyone who responded to my post about locating networked
laser printers behind a service desk to ensure payment. Since quite a few
people expressed interest in this subject, here's a summary.
Of the 13 responses:
5 have printers behind the circ desk
2 have printers behind the reference desk
3 use an honor system
2 use a debit card or software control
1 has free printing
Suggestions/problems/comments:
Have a cover sheet that identifies the computer, so students
and staff can determine which print-out belongs to which patron.
Need to keep lots of change at the desk.
There may be people waiting in line, especially near closing time.
Many print jobs remain unclaimed/unpaid for.
Honor system doesn't work!
Most libraries didn't hire additional staff to handle the printing/
sorting/payment issues.
Try simple solutions before switching to a debit card system that
requires additional hardware and software.
Obviously, this is an issue many of us are dealing with as our
printing costs continue to rise.
Good luck!
**
Beth Joress
Emerson College Library
ecl...@flo.org