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Reuse, recycle … reduce: a greener library with print management

Megan E. Dempsey (Evelyn S. Field Library, Raritan Valley Community College, North Branch, New Jersey, USA)
Alex Palilonis (Evelyn S. Field Library, Raritan Valley Community College, North Branch, New Jersey, USA)

Library Hi Tech

ISSN: 0737-8831

Article publication date: 31 August 2012

1845

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe the implementation of a print management system to control costs and reduce waste associated with printing practices.

Design/methodology/approach

A paper collection study found that 8 percent of pages printed in the library were never claimed. A print management system was implemented requiring print jobs to be manually released by users. Statistics on toner lifespan and number of pages printed before and after the system was implemented were compared.

Findings

The print management system reduced the total number of pages printed in a semester by 32 percent from Fall 2009 to Fall 2011 and increased the lifespan of toner cartridges so they would perform more efficiently.

Practical implications

Implementing a print management system without charging students a printing fee reduces the amount of wasted paper and the costs associated with purchasing paper and toner for printing services.

Originality/value

The paper describes the implementation of a print management system in a library that has substantially reduced the number of pages printed from library computers and the amount of toner used. The authors believe they have made a significant impact on reducing a primary area of waste.

Keywords

Citation

Dempsey, M.E. and Palilonis, A. (2012), "Reuse, recycle … reduce: a greener library with print management", Library Hi Tech, Vol. 30 No. 3, pp. 408-417. https://doi.org/10.1108/07378831211266555

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2012, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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