Re: TARGET=>Paper charges

[Irene Clise <iclise1@MICKEY.ESD113.WEDNET.EDU>]

I've been responding individually to media specialists on this topic, but
maybe I need to open it to the entire LM-NET.

Apparently I am more fortunate than most LMS's, but our building budget
absorbs the cost of printer paper and ribbons (we are a high tech school
with over 600 networked computers).  All students and staff use our
school-wide network almost every class and we do "try" to train students in
appropriate printing (# of pages, how to limit, etc).

Personally and professionally I cannot imagine charging students for
information.  If printing from a computer is the only way to get the
information, they need to print (judiciously).  If we are making copies
for the CONVENIENCE of students who could check out the materials, we
charge ten cents a copy.

We have a guarantee at our school (from my library staff).  If you CAN'T
check out the material FOR ANY REASON (reserved for a class, large
reference, etc.) we make four free copies a period.  I DO NOT believe in
charging students in public schools for information, unless it's just for
a convenience.

From most of the responses I've seen on this question, the majority of
librarians do charge.  How about approaching the administration about
absorbing the costs in school-wide budget.  At the last school I was at,
I figured the total cost of printing copies (over $2200 for machine
maintenance, paper and toner, computer paper and ribbons).  Each
department budgeted a certain amount to the LMC depending on their
department's use of the media center (Example--social studies contributed
$300, language arts $400, science $200, etc. The principal's budget also
contributed $200.)

Alternatives can be found, I believe, rather than charging students for
all copies of information.  What do some of the rest of you think??


Irene Clise
Library Media Specialist
River Ridge High School
8929 Martin Way East
Olympia, Washington 98516
iclise1@mickey.esd113.wednet.edu

On Tue, 7 Feb 1995, Claire Whelihan wrote:

> yes, our high school charges the same amount (15 cents per page)
> for things printed from on line databases or CD-ROM. There haven't
> been complaints and it seems fair. Kids do print out alot of
> full text stuff without reading it first and the charge prevents
> them from doing this excessively.
>
>       Claire Whelihan, Barrington H.S.
>