Just a very off-the-wall thought...
How about renting pens to students. Purchase a supply of pens
with the library name or a unique logo, and rent them (for say
$1.00) with the idea that when the student returns the pen the
money will be refunded.
The incentive is there for the users to return the pens, but if
they don't you've made a little money.
As for the arguement that students are entitled to free supplies
because of their high tuitions: I think every student everywhere
feels the same way. The real perception, I believe, is that because
they can get books "free" at the library, they should be able to
get other stuff free.
You might want to put something in your literature that is handed
out periodically to students that the library does not provide
free supplies; or you might just want to send them to the president
of the university with the thought that the library needs more
money in order to furnish these gratuitous goodies.
Jim Mumm
Acquisitions / Serials Librarian
Marquette University Law Library
9724mummj@vms.csd.mu.edu
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