LM_NET: Library Media Networking
Thanks for the overwhelming response. Here is a list I compiled for
all those who requested it. Sorry it didn't include everyone who
responded, but the only time I have to put this together are a few
minutes at work.
Marni
***************************************************
A quick adapatation I made from the college dorm hall and the college
library. We had "copy cards" printed. They are the size of "old
lunch tickets" or athletic passes. Each card has 20 punches. (We use
a permanent marker to cross off). Each student was given 1 card that
could be used any way they wanted for the "good" printer, (ink-jet) or
copy machine. They currently can print to the old "Imagewriter II
printers" for FREE. Each classroom teacher has copy cards for "final
assignments" that students are able to use. The "good" printer is
located behind the media center and it must be retrieved by a media
center supervisor or students assistant. We are just having a copy
machine placed in the library and plan to do the same. We are in a
small community. I know that in some areas there are companies that
place them in with a change machine and charge. Our solution is
effective for a start. Students are more selective about, "what" and
"how much" they print.
******************************************************
My idea: charge students $.05 or .10 per page with a coin box on your
machine. (I've never heard of students getting free copies before.)
For any that may be legitimately unable to pay (as ascertained by free
lunch applications or by your principal or by yourself), use a bypass
key or give them money from the income from other students using the
copy machine, but let them know that this is not for everyone.
Alternatively, let students borrow xerox money as though it were a
fine for an overdue book, then be judicious in asking for repayment.
We lend money for xeroxing to any student who doesn't have any money
that day for whatever reason, record it on our circulation system as a
debt, and expect payment as if it were a fine. There are some
students from whom we do not request/expect/get repayment. This might
be a good way to make the transition from free copies to paid copies.
What does the school administration expect the faculty to do to make
class copies of things--tests, handouts, etc.? In our school, there
is a different xerox machine just for faculty use, which is free.
Some faculty use this to make copies of things for students who can't
afford copies. If there were an issue about use of such a machine, it
could be set up to require a password that would identify each user.
One more idea--rather than take the time to write each faculty member
a letter when a student comes to make 30 copies for his/her teacher,
let them know in some general all-faculty method of communication how
things have changed, that you can't do that any longer, and not to ask
their students to do that. If the teachers don't have any other way
to get class copies of things, that is an issue the teachers should
take up with the administration--it should not be the library's money
that pays for class copies for teachers.
****************************************************
We inherited a copy machine from the school office about ten
years ago, and up until last year worked totally under the school
service contract, only supplying the paper out of our budget. We had
it in a small room off the reference area and made copies for students
who needed them AND for the teachers who sent students to get the 30
copies because they'd neglected to make themselves in the office.
(Our secretaries refuse to make copies for teachers in those cases, so
the librarian or my assistants got to make them instead. A great use
of my time...) I'd been working for several years to try to get a
coin-op unit on the machine I had (a newer one, still under the school
contract) but the principal couldn't seem to make it happen until I
finally told the assistant superintendent to order the thing and have
it installed. It works really well (no problems with the coin-op unit
itself in two years), the number of copies is drastically down so that
my budget for copies should be down (the assistant superintendent
hasn't figured out that she needs to pay the copier place less--but
that's another story), and the students, for the most part, have not
complained. We charge only 5 cents per copy, and have signs posted
that state that we're charging only enough to cover our expenses.
When the rare complaint does come, I explain that I decided that it
could happen when I saw that students could afford cigarettes and soda
and coffee so surely could afford a copy once in a while. And there
are some teachers who will make copies for kids in the office, which I
feel teaches them that the librarian is an idiot for making them pay
for copies...that's another story too! I did check with other high
school librarians around here, and found that I was the only one to
give free copies. S0--I think you should charge for copies to keep
them from eating away at your budget.
*******************************************
We have a copier inside our office that is for student copying. We
don't let the students do the actual copying though. We restrict
copying to for students only so therefore teachers can't send copying
to us via a student. We charge 10 cents per copy but that is not
meeting our contract which is $50 per month. To pay that and for
paper too our price will go up for next year. The thing I don't like
is the kids copy then turn around and turn it in as a report. BUT
from what I understand the other option is students remove pages that
they need from books. Post to the list any info that comes in!
************************************************
I'm in a junior high library in a school district where money is very
tight. The copy machine in the library is owned and serviced by a
private company. Students pay 10 cents a copy. It has always been
that way, and it certainly beats using library budget to pay for it.
I don't see that it is the library's responsibility to provide
classroom sets for teachers. It may irritate a few, but they will
find other places to get the copies if you decide to stop the
practice.
********************************************
We have a coin-op machine and charge 15 cents a copy. That way we can
pay for the maintenance, paper, toner and have money left over for
other library needs. Our thinking is that if a kid can't afford to
copy, they can certainly take notes by hand out of a book or check it
out.
**********************************
I had to have a coin-box installed so that students had to pay 5 cnets
per copy. Now that's not meeting expenses and the principal refuses
to increase my budget to cover it, so I'm afraid I'm going to have to
raise the cost next year to 10 cents. I hate to see it, but it has
eliminated needless copying - they did get more judicious.
************************************************
In my first year (last year) I had to get a new copier as the old one
was broken and the parts were no longer available. The new machine was
purchased by the student government with funds that they had raised.
Before placing the order, I told students that I was thrilled with the
gift but that I would not be able to have a copier without charging a
moderate fee for copies (copies had been free but the old machine was
constantly broken). They were not pleased with my request but I listed
normal rationale such as service contracts, toner and paper costs and
curtailing indiscriminate copying. They were given the option of
having a coin operated machine to keep the machine self-operational
instead of clerk operated. The students agreed and understood the
reasons and only made one stipulation: that I keep the price at $.10 a
copy. It has been a success and students operate the machine
independently and do not copy more than they need. The money keeps the
machine supplied and in good working order. I realize this is not the
same as your situation but I did have another change to make when I
arrived last year that at first didn't sit well with the faculty. I
cancelled 13 of the 15 copies of the daily newspaper that the LMC had
been ordering and supplying to the staff lounge, the study halls, etc.
Faculty were upset to find that I wasn't offering free newspapers as
had happened in the past. Being new, I didn't want to start out with a
controversy, but I couldn't spend such a large portion of my precious
budget on newspapers to supply the entire school. So, I cancelled the
extra copies - keeping two for LMC use only - and explained the change
by telling everyone how much money it had cost to pay for the original
subscriptions versus the two I really needed. The staff was surprised
to learn that the library had been spending such an exhorbitant amount
for what they possibly assumed to be free. Anyway, in both instances,
the best route I found was to give sound rationale and facts to
support such changes. Both situations turned out well. I think you
might create a cost analysis of the maintenance and supply costs and
share this with teachers to get their support in changing things. When
telling students the need for change, put it in terms of Facts of Life
- Economics - Reality. Having an abused machine that is breaking down
or one with depleted supplies does no good to anyone. The students
should understand although there may be some grumbling at first. Sorry
to go on so, but I think you can win this battle without creating too
many waves.
*****************************************************
I know that this is a problem. I have a copy machine in the
library and no matter how many times I have told teachers that
Students cannot use the machine they still send them to get copies for
them. I announced it at a faculty meeting and it got better. I also
asked them if they would like me to interupt their class or prep
period to have them make copies for me. It is a sticky situation but
with patience things are getting better. (you might keep a list of
who makes how many copies and charge them at the end of the month)
***********************************************
I ran into a very similar problem when I arrived here last year. The
school has three copy machines (office, staff room, and the library).
Teachers were continually having students come to the library to make
20 - 30 copies. Do librarians have time for this???
I talked with our copy machine vendor, and we agreed on a
coin-operated copy machine (charges 10=A2 a copy). The vendor pays for
any and all repairs and toner; I provide the paper and electricity.
We split the profits 50/50. Initially, we had a lot of upset staff
and students. Office staff was use to running over to the library
(we're across the hall) and making some copies if the office copier
was busy. Students said that we shouldn't charge since they were
doing class work.
This year has been much easier. I don't have to worry about repairs,
toner, collecting money (I do keep change for the machine), etc. I
can concentrate more on other duties in the library.
**************************************
This is also from a high school library:
1) We charge 5 cents a copy from students
2) Teachers must use the large Xerox copier to do more than 10 copies
3) Teachers are not allowed to send students to the Library, make
copies, and return to class. 4) As much as possible copier is for
student use only 5) We budget for maintenance contract (we got a new
copier this year) and supplies and credit all money received from
copies to this account. Comes out almost even. Hope this helps.
Marni Sherman
Librarian's Assistant
Ardsley High School
Ardsley, NY 10502
ShermanM@ardsley.lhric.org
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=
To quit LM_NET (or set NOMAIL or DIGEST), Send an email message to
listserv@listserv.syr.edu In the message write EITHER:
1) SIGNOFF LM_NET 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL or 3) SET LM_NET DIGEST
* NOTE: Please allow time for confirmation from Listserv.
For LM_NET Help & Archives see: http://ericir.syr.edu/lm_net/
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=
LM_NET
Archive Home