Museums, Libraries, Colleges and Schools Could Use Innovative Ideas to Cut Copying Charges

Copyright (c) 2011 Alison Withers

For anyone involved in studying or research photocopies are a useful resource and often more affordable than buying a complete book if only a part is needed for reference.

There are times when we all need a printed copy of a document and nothing else will do. The free copying services in libraries and museums could perhaps also be an inducement to encourage more visitors to their facilities.

But the equipment leasing and maintenance charges and the costs of ink, paper and toner for printers and photocopiers mean that most organisations, such as colleges, libraries, public records offices and museums, charge those members of the public who want photocopies of documents to take away with them.

Charges vary but a quick internet search reveals a range between 4 pence and 50 pence per page for self service copying of black and white A4 copies and between 15p and £1 for A4 colour copies. While the charges may not seem much per sheet, they can quickly mount up.

UK students currently face a rise in tuition fees, while schools and colleges are under pressure to cut costs and prices for everything continue to climb as a result of the massive financial support governments injected into their economies to try to deal with the 2008 - 09 global economic crisis.

Businesses, too, are operating in extremely challenging conditions and therefore doing everything they can to keep overheads as low as possible while maximising their takings.

Anything that can be done to reduce any costs, therefore, or to generate some income is worth considering.

In Japan in 2005, several universities in the Tokyo area adopted an innovative idea from a student start-up scheme called Oceanize. The scheme sold full colour advertising space on the back of sheets of printer/copier paper, which then enabled the universities to offer their students a free copying service.

UK organisations, not only schools, could benefit from schemes like the Japanese university one, by making it possible for them to offer free photocopying.

The scheme took off and within a year was generating a profit even after the deduction of all the costs.

In the UK there are companies offering schools the chance to benefit from reduced charges from leasing copiers and printers with a maximum number of free print-outs. . For a fixed charge they receive a printer, printer supplies and an allowance of colour and mono prints each year.

A quick internet search of charges reveals a range between 4 pence and 50 pence per page for self service copying of black and white A4 copies and between 15p and £.

Printer/copiers in libraries and business supply centres, among other places, can then be extremely useful.

At a fixed charge they get a printer, printer supplies and an allowance of colour and mono prints each year.


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Charges for photocopying research material in schools, libraries and other public sources in East Anglia can mount up, but a little innovative thinking could make cheap or even free copying possible, says writer Ali Withers.