When I worked at the University of North Dakota, we experienced similar
problems when we allowed essentially unlimited laser printing. We
controlled printing by extending the LAN cabling to the circ/reserve desk,
and relocating the laser printer behind the desk. We then began charging
for laser copies. We allowed each lab user a certain number of free
copies each day, and charged 10 cents a page after that. While this does
create some added work for the student desk workers, it was not a major
problem. Relocating the printer also prevents clever and dishonest lab
users from bypassing the vendacard units and otherwise messing with the
printer.
Whatever system you use, it is important to price laser copies so they are
more expensive than photocopies. If the price differential is too small,
users will print multiple copies of lengthy documents on the laser
printers instead of the copy machines.
Christopher Noe
NOE@crow.csrv.uidaho.edu
University of Idaho College of Law Library
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : 03/09/00 PST