[LIBRARYDIR] question about networked printing

[Christie Flynn]

Pierce College uses PaperCut.  Students receive $10 worth of printing each quarter through the Student Tech Fee Committee.  If students need more than $10, they can add money to their account in the library or at the cashier's office.  Each circulation desk has a credit card machine, so students can use a debit/credit card in the library. Here is a link to our policy/procedure that is posted on the website for students:  http://www.pierce.ctc.edu/library/printing

From: LIBRARYDIR [mailto:librarydir-bounces at lists.ctc.edu] On Behalf Of Matz, Chris
Sent: Monday, October 10, 2016 7:59 AM
To: librarydir at lists.ctc.edu
Subject: [LIBRARYDIR] question about networked printing


Hello.  Our library hosts about 25 computer workstations that send jobs to either b&w or color printers (there are another 150 student computers outside the library that work in this same manner).  Pharos is the system that coordinates this process.  For a patron at Shoreline, the steps to getting something printed are...



1.  have a valid Shoreline CC ID card;

2.  put cash value onto the card; and

3.  swipe card to subtract appropriate value for job.



However, patrons can only add value to their cards with bills.  Most of them don't carry money at this point in history, and those that do need to break the larger bills that the campus ATM (in another building) provides.  We therefore have a bill-changer (in our building) along with the value-add machine (ditto).  Our information technology department claims that because of various state-level accounting requirements, this is the only configuration of Pharos they will support.



This seems like a lot of steps in an era where students are unlikely to have cash anyhow.  During construction this summer, we were successful in getting the campus ATM relocated near the college's bookstore, a more logical placement, but no matter where all the machines may be, it's really exasperating.



Ironically, our administration has turned off our book sale and cash register functions so as to restrict the number of departments handling money for any reason, starting with the biggest "offender".  They are totally content with the networked printing set-up, however.



If this one is too easy, I have another question about how to clean windows without leaving streaks, but one crisis at a time.





Thanks for your consideration -



Chris M

************************
Chris Matz
Director, Ray W Howard Library
Shoreline Community College
206.546.4558
cmatz at shoreline.edu<mailto:cmatz at shoreline.edu>
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