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From: LS37@UNB.CA (LS37000)
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Message-ID: <ID4225.D900116.T120413.SLOAN@UNB.CA>
Date: 16 Jan 90 19:08:47 GMT
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Comments:     <16JAN90.12015123.0054.MUSIC@UNB.CA>

----------------------------Original message----------------------------

A while ago I asked the list for help in dealing with users who
expect to be able to print out *large* numbers of citations from
CD-ROMs.  I received a goodly number of very helpful suggestions
(thanks to all!).  As promised, here is my summary for the list.

Suggestions fell into three catagories:


1.   Charging
     Charging by page was mentioned as a possibility.  I believe
     that this may be a bit of a headache for the staff.
     Several libraries reported good results through the use of
     debit cards readers.  The University of Calgary had originally
     used the readers to control the entire workstation.  Lately
     they have switched to just having the printer controlled by
     the card reader.  They estimate it costs the user about $0.10
     per page to print references out.  A major disadvantage is the
     cost of the reader.

2.   Downloading
     In many situations, downloading to disk is an attractive
     solution.  Some libraries provide disks for this purpose,
     either at a nominal charge or even for free.  The suggestion
     that printers be removed, and only downloading allowed, was
     rejected, it seems, by most respondents.  They thought that
     because of system incompatability problems (3.5 vs 5.25, IBM vs
     Mac etc.) it was unfair to the user not to provide some means of
     getting paper copy.

3.   User Education
     The ideal solution, of course, is to change the expectations
     that cause the problem in the first place.  The problem is
     getting to all the users before they require a printout of 50
     pages.
     Some libraries reported monitoring the CD-ROM workstations
     closely and aiding users in narrowing searches.
     McGill's Health Sciences Library reported that they require
     new users of the CD-ROM system to attend a one hour CD-ROM
     course ($5.00 charge) before they are allowed to perform
     searches.  Search time at McGill is restricted and they charge
     $2.00/hour, which eliminates much abuse.

Thanks again to all.  I will let the list know how UNB decides to
act.

Stephen Sloan
SLOAN@UNB