Printing Charges FAQ
Who is charging for printing?All Evanston campus libraries and all University IT-run computer labs. What are my alternatives to printing at Library computers?It is possible to e-mail attachments and search results to yourself or copy them onto portable media such as a USB flash drive or a CD-R/CD-RW. You can then print them on your own printer or your department's printers. If you print from your laptop for the same charges apply. Why is Northwestern University charging for printing?The major factor driving the decision was the massive amount of waste that all printing labs saw on a daily basis. Patrons of the labs and the libraries routinely printed documents they never picked up. Similarly, many patrons do not try to eliminate wasteful practices such as printing an entire website instead of the one page needed. We wish to encourage responsible printing to ensure a wise use of resources. Another important element in the decision was the radical change in the online climate. Over time vast amounts of materials have become available electronically. The increasing availability of full-text articles and books online has blurred the distinction between photocopying (always a fee-based service) and printing. The areas that supply free printing have experienced exponential cost increases that continue to rise each year. How much is charged for printing?Simplex Printing (one-sided): 5 cents per sheet. Duplex Printing (two-sided): 8
cents per sheet.
Why charge 5 cents and 8 cents?The 5 cent and 8 cent charge will encourage responsible printing without placing an undue burden on individuals. It will also ease the financial strain on departments that have to support printing. The charge will allow only for partial cost recovery. Beyond the obvious cost of paper and toner, the labs also must pay for frequent equipment repair and replacement. How does this compare to other institutions?The Big Ten: Chicago Area: Peer Institutions: Public Libraries: |
