2008 Woodie Awards
Library asks students to conserve, limit printing
Amanda Warner
Issue date: 9/10/07 Section: News
For the past year, the MTSU Library Staff has been looking for ways to cut down on the amount of paper that students are using during the printing process
Amy York, a reference librarian at MTSU, said that in a one-year span, 6.3 million pieces of paper were used in print jobs. Last April, York gathered up three recycle bins full of abandoned paper on campus in one week.
"We're happy students have free paper, but it's not really free," York said.
In 2006, the library had to pay about 35% of printing costs, which amounts to around $20,000. The other 65% comes from the small fee included in tuition but it is not enough to cover the total cost of the paper.
Although some students would not mind paying an extra printing fee, many would feel outraged.
"We pay enough for school and the paper should be included in the tuition," said Ashley Pinkerton, a senior and journalism major.
The library is using the kiosk system for print jobs and has set the printers to print double-sided on each page in an effort to conserve more paper. Even with the kiosks in the library, students still tend to print more than necessary, according to York.
"I like that we can print our papers for free. I think sometimes people take advantage of it," said Candace King, a junior and history major, when asked about the luxury students have of free printing.
Because some students do not know how to use the kiosks properly, they will sometimes print all of the queued documents instead of the one they need. York has even found several 200 page video game cheat sheets thrown in the trash or left on the printers.
The library staff is informing the campus about conserving paper through their website and blogs. Hopefully, he library will begin to see a decrease in the amount of paper that is used and wasted on the MTSU campus.
"We're not trying to scold anyone," said York, "But the library staff would like to encourage everyone to be conscious of how much they are printing. Use the print preview button and print only what you need. The library staff is available to answer any questions about saving paper and they are more than willing to help students."
Amy York, a reference librarian at MTSU, said that in a one-year span, 6.3 million pieces of paper were used in print jobs. Last April, York gathered up three recycle bins full of abandoned paper on campus in one week.
"We're happy students have free paper, but it's not really free," York said.
In 2006, the library had to pay about 35% of printing costs, which amounts to around $20,000. The other 65% comes from the small fee included in tuition but it is not enough to cover the total cost of the paper.
Although some students would not mind paying an extra printing fee, many would feel outraged.
"We pay enough for school and the paper should be included in the tuition," said Ashley Pinkerton, a senior and journalism major.
The library is using the kiosk system for print jobs and has set the printers to print double-sided on each page in an effort to conserve more paper. Even with the kiosks in the library, students still tend to print more than necessary, according to York.
"I like that we can print our papers for free. I think sometimes people take advantage of it," said Candace King, a junior and history major, when asked about the luxury students have of free printing.
Because some students do not know how to use the kiosks properly, they will sometimes print all of the queued documents instead of the one they need. York has even found several 200 page video game cheat sheets thrown in the trash or left on the printers.
The library staff is informing the campus about conserving paper through their website and blogs. Hopefully, he library will begin to see a decrease in the amount of paper that is used and wasted on the MTSU campus.
"We're not trying to scold anyone," said York, "But the library staff would like to encourage everyone to be conscious of how much they are printing. Use the print preview button and print only what you need. The library staff is available to answer any questions about saving paper and they are more than willing to help students."
Be the first to comment on this story