by Mike Sharkey
Staff Writer
Library officials plan to implement a time and print management system in order to counter a $300,000 loss the library took last year through customers printing approximately six million free copies.
Currently, the library is experimenting with different versions of the time and print management system — Ikon and Xerox — at the San Marco and Highlands branches. Both systems monitor user time and the number of pages of copy users are producing. Copy machines in the libraries charge 10 cents per copy, however, the loss is coming through computer users downloading and printing text and photos which customers are not charged for right now.
“The cost of providing those copies became too great and we need to be able to recover that,” said library spokesperson Stacie Bucher. “At this point there are no parameters. We have to determine the cost and how many we’ll need. It’s in the trial phase and we’re trying to identify the best system and take that back to our board.”
The system is part of the library’s proposed fiscal year 2003-04 budget, which is currently being reviewed by the Mayor’s Budget Review Committee along with every other department within the City. Under the system, the library plans to charge five cents per copy. What hasn’t been determined yet is at what point that charge will imposed: for all pages? After the fifth? After 10?
According to library director Ken Sivulich, there are 250 library-owned printers throughout the library system and about 500 personal computers. Many of the printers need to be replaced and, at about $750 each, that’s $187,500. Sivulich, who couldn’t be reached for comment, believes the new systems, both of which employ vendor-supplied copy machines, will more than pay for themselves in a short time.
Bucher said the only thing delaying the process is getting budget approval and selecting a system and vendor.
“We are waiting to see if it will be funded,” said Bucher, adding the funds are not something that require City Council approval. “It’s an operational decision.”
Neither Chief Administrative Officer Sam Mousa nor Chief of Staff Audrey Moran could be reached for comment. Along with the rest of the MBRC, they are locked in budget hearings all week.
Another new service coming to the library also figures into the equation. Earlier this year, the Library Board voted to allow customers to set up e-mail accounts through library-owned computers. The new time and print management system will help library employees monitor computer use — customers are allowed 30 minutes if others are waiting — and charge customers who want to download and print e-mails. Bucher said the library staff suggested a system be found that could monitor both components.
Once adopted and funded, the library will implement the new system as quickly as possible.
“When we do it, we will do it at all the libraries,” said Boucher.
There are currently 14 branch libraries scattered across town, a main library downtown and six new branches set to open within the next 18 months.