Report to the University Senate by the University Library Committee
Submitted by Peter Gilkey, chair (November 12, 1997)
 
The University Library Committee is a "oversight committee reporting directly to the senate". At its meeting on 14 October 1997, the ULC voted in support of the recently implemented "pay for print" policy by the University Library to charge .10 per page printed on the laser printers. We note that this charge is in correspondence with the actual costs incurred and that commercial vendors charge .40-.50 per page for a similar service. We concur with the memorandum from University Librarian George Shipman to Provost Moseley that this system is ``a responsible policy which is economically prudent and fair. The system drastically reduces waste, allows for better use of limited resources, and holds each library patron responsible for his/her personal use of consumable supplies.''
 
We note that a survey conducted by the University Library showed that similar charges are levied by a majority of the ARL academic libraries; more than 50 % indicated they were charging for printing on top of an Ed. Tech. fee. We feel the Ed. Tech. fee should be used to upgrade hardware and software facilities and not used to purchase consumable supplies. We note that an effort made by the Library last winter to reduce waste on a voluntary basis made little impact on the printing done.
 
To summarize, we feel the Libraries policy to be equitable, fair, and appropriate. Given the current severe budgetary constraints at the University, it is appropriate to ask users of consumable resources to pay an appropriate charge for the resources involved.