I
would like to protest the removal of free scanning from the library.
Unlike printing, scanning does not utilize ink or paper and thus is far
less expensive. Students should not be handed over the cost for
tightened library budgets.
**
I am writing to voice my disappointment with the library's decision to
replace the free scanners with a pay service. Free scanning was an
economical, convenient, and environmentally friendly alternative to
photocopying. Requiring students and faculty to pay for scanning
reduces the accessibility of the library's materials, especially
reserve items that cannot be checked out for longer periods.
Given that upkeep to the scanners and scanning computers is surely not
a major additional expense to the library, one must conclude that the
university sees the new pay system as a new stream of revenue.
Unfortunately, this additional money will come at the direct expense of
those who can least afford it, the university's students.
I am no doubt not alone in my feelings on this issue. I hope that the
library will reverse its decision and revert to the old, free scanning
system.
**
Bring back the free scanners!
We’ve received several complaints recently about the disappearance of the 3 flatbed scanners that used to be on the first floor of the Reg. The scanners were removed because of the Library’s transition to a new copier vendor (Canon) in early August.
The new pricing model institutes a small charge ($0.02/page) for
scanning, while keeping constant the black/white printing cost
($0.10/page), and reducing the color printing cost (from $0.50 to
$0.15/page) and the photocopying costs ($0.12 to $0.10/page). By
keeping scanning to only 1/5th the price of photocopying, we hope
patrons will continue to use this service while at the same time
allowing us to meet our minimum revenue obligations under contract.
Several of the complaints have suggested that the Library is trying to
make money from students by instituting this change. We would like to
correct this misperception. The fees collected for scanning, copying,
faxing, and printing are designed only to cover the cost of making
these services available - not to provide funding for other Library
offerings.
For several years Library patrons have requested the ability to scan portions of Library books and other materials. (We remind you that scanners and photocopiers should be used consistent with copyright law. See the University’s Copyright Information Center for more information.) Consequently, when our multi-year copier contract came up for renewal, scanning capability was high on our list of desired features.
Unfortunately, providing equipment to handle our scanning volume isn’t free. Scanning carries a cost – admittedly, a miniscule cost compared with traditional photocopying -- but there is wear and tear on the equipment, and staffing costs associated with machine maintenance.
We already experienced some of the costs when we put out the 3 flatbed scanners last year. Because the scanners were heavily used, they were starting to break down: at the time we removed them, only one scanner was fully operational (one had been removed several weeks ago and a second was leaving large black streaks on scanned images).
Thus when the new equipment arrived, the cost of scanning was set at $0.02/page – a cost necessary to cover our monthly fees with Canon. While this does impose a cost for a previously free service, Canon is replacing all the photocopiers with multi-function devices that copy, print, scan, and fax. So instead of 3 scanners, we will have 10 in the Reg alone – and more elsewhere on campus, since the University’s contract with Canon covers the Library, University Housing, and (printing only) NSIT. Further, the multi-function machines (unlike the flatbed scanners) are more suitable for heavy scanning activity. Finally, since the machines are free-standing, we get back 3 additional PCs on the first floor previously occupied by patrons scanning materials.
