Libdata has developed various options to meet your print management requirements, for your library.  We realize every Library is different and serve a different patron base, so we have worked hard to make sure our software will work in your environment and not have to require you to conform to our idea of how it should work!

The following scenarios are all supported using Libdata software. (note: in all cases the patron is alerted to how many pages they are about to print and how much it will cost).

WE SELL JAMEX VENDING MACHINES FOR PRINT MANAGEMENT.   (They are not required for print management, but are very convenient!)

Print Manager Options:

Option 1:    No print vending machine, Patron required to come to circulation desk and pay for print before it is released by the staff member. (Requires staff intervention, but insures all printouts are paid for).

Option 2:  No print vending machine, Patron prints and retrieves the printout themselves. The patron is allowed to run a negative print balance.  They pay for the printouts before leaving. (The patron print account information is stored and the total amount is available at all times.  If the patron does not pay the total amount the Time manager can be set to automatically not allow the patron to log in next time.)  (Less staff intervention - since the patron only pays once, instead of at each printout. Possibility the printouts will not be paid for).

Option 3:    No print vending machine, Patron is required to have a positive balance in their print account before printing.  The printer is available to the patron, and they can retrieve their own printouts.  The staff member must collect the patrons money and enter the amount in the patrons account.  As the patrons print, the balance will be reduced until the balance is used.  (The staff member must collect money and enter data into the patrons account - somewhat time consuming, but very doable. This makes sure the patron pays for all printouts). 

Option 4:    With Print vending machine - Patron is required to have a positive balance in their print account before printing.  The printer is available to the patron, and they can retrieve their own printouts.  The patron will enter money into the vending machine establishing a balance.  The balance is reduced until used.  The patron can then go back to the vending machine and add more money to continue printing.  (This is better than a release station approach, since the patron will not have to go to the release station after each printout and wait their turn to get the printout).

 Option 5:    With Print vending machine - The patron is required to go to the print release station and pay for the printout before printing.  Our "release station" software has a previewer allowing the patron to quickly view their printout before releasing it to the printer. They can delete it or pay for it and print it out.