Last updated: 8/28/02
Department of Public Services Pay-for-Printing in the ROC

This is a cheat-sheet for Reference Desk staffers about the new pay-for-printing system in the ROC.

When a patron prints a document in the ROC, it gets sent to a print queue that includes documents printed from all public (IITS-run) computer labs at URI, including CCE. (The reason for this is so that a computer user can print from anywhere, not just from where they originally sent the print job.)

To print her print job, the patron must first put a copy card into the card reader at the print station. She will then see a screen with the following table:

All print jobs originating from the ROC will have LibKin (short for “LIBrary KINgston”) as the Owner. The Station will range from \\LIBKIN01 to \\LIBKIN20. (This represents the 20 computers in the ROC. The ROC is the only place in the Kingston Library that sends print jobs to this print server.)

The patron must select her print job by clicking on it. (She may select multiple jobs at the same time by using the right mouse button.) Emphasize to patrons that they must note the name of their print station and the time they printed in order to recognize which document is theirs. Then the patron clicks on the Print Selected button at the bottom right corner of the screen. The document prints. Also displayed are total Pages in print job, total Cost, Card value, and Balance left on the card. (The value and balance change as the document is printing.)

The print job will stay in the queue for 2 hours. During that time, it may be printed any number of times from any IITS-run print station. (Note locations, hours, and phone numbers when made available.) After it has been in the queue for 2 hours, each document is deleted. It is not recoverable.

What to do about problems...

• Out of paper — Reference staffer loads paper herself. Copico supplies the paper. Nights/weekends: same procedure.

• Minor paper jam — Reference staffer calls Laury (4-2820) or her Student Helpline (4-5461) who come up to fix it. Or, if staffer feels capable, she can try to fix it herself. Nights/weekends: If unable to fix, staffer puts up Out of Order sign, leaves message for Laury, and directs patrons to another print station.

• Major paper jam — Reference staffer calls Laury (4-2820) or her Student Helpline (4-5461), and they call Copico to fix problem. Staffer puts up Out of Order sign. Nights/weekends: Staffer puts up Out of Order sign, leaves message for Laury, and directs patrons to another print station.

• Out of toner — Reference staffer calls Circulation (4-2672), who reports the problem to Copico. Staffer puts up Out of Order sign.

• Major problems with print station — Reference staffer calls Laury (4-2820) or Circ (4-2672), who contacts appropropriate OIS staff.

Note: Reference keeps an empty ($0.00) copy card in the cigar box at the Desk so that we can view the print queue and teach patrons how to print.

Consider: Copyco is in this print-server business to make money. They keep the profits. This system is designed not only to save money for OIS and the Library, but to make our jobs (reference, systems staff, OIS) easier. If a technical problem threatens to take significant time away from other important work (such as helping patrons, etc.), don’t hesitate to put up an Out of Order sign and pass the problem on to Copyco. Remember that patrons can print from any IITS print server.

Based on a sample size of THE FIRST TWO PATRONS WHO TRIED TO PRINT ON 8/28(!), patrons may be upset about having to pay and on occasion might fall back almost exclusively on their 4-letter vocabulary.

If patrons do not like paying for printing, we can remind them:

• Most databases allow the user to e-mail results, which can later be printed on a free printer.
• The A:\ drives in the ROC have been opened up so that patrons can download. Almost all databases allow for downloading, and Web pages can be saved by using the File/Save command in Internet Explorer.
• They can get more copies for their money by putting a greater dollar amount on their current copy card:

(Patrons should note that the first time they purchase a copy card, $[how much] will be deducted for the price of the card. Also, if a patron puts a high dollar amount on a card, they should be encouraged to write their name and/or phone number/e-mail on the card in case it is lost.)

And if a patron gets really snotty about paying for printing:

• The campus community was notified of this change in Spring 2002, so paying for printing should not come as a surprise.
• This is no different from paying for photocopies. It is an added service which is offered, but no one is required to print.
• Patrons may take notes from the screen, just as they would from a journal or a reference book that they did not wish to photocopy.