Free Printing Services At Columbia Libraries A Guide To Available Resources

Libraries in Columbia provide various printing, copying, and scanning services to their patrons, with some services available at no cost. The availability of these services, associated costs, and specific procedures differ between the Columbia University libraries and the public library systems in the Columbia area. Understanding these distinctions helps patrons access these resources effectively.

Printing at Columbia University Libraries

Columbia University libraries offer a comprehensive printing system known as PawPrint for students and faculty. This system allows users to send documents from any computer to a print queue, which can then be released at any PawPrint station across the Morningside campus. The process is designed to be touchless; patrons simply tap their CUID (Columbia University ID) on the card reader at the printer, and all documents in the PawPrint queue are printed automatically. To assist users, the university provides a PawPrint Quick Start Guide that covers how to get started, check print quotas, report issues, and locate print stations on campus.

In addition to the PawPrint system, the university libraries provide free self-serve scanners at all locations. These scanners are available for digitizing documents and are located in various rooms across different libraries, including Avery Library, Barnard Library, Burke Library, Butler and Milstein Libraries, the East Asian Library, the Journalism Library, Lehman Library, the Music Library, the Science and Engineering Library, and the Social Work Library. For faculty and staff, the libraries also offer reproduction services for items in their collections upon request, though these are intended for personal or scholarly use, and the requester is responsible for any copyright or permission issues.

Public Library Printing Services in Columbia

For the general public, the Richland Library system in Columbia provides printing and copying services. According to the available information, black and white copies and printouts cost $0.25 each, with double-sided options costing $0.30. Color copies and printouts are priced at $0.50 each, or $0.75 for double-sided. Legal-sized documents have different pricing: black and white legal copies are $0.30 each ($0.40 for double-sided), and color legal copies are $0.60 each ($0.90 for double-sided). While the sources do not explicitly state if free printing is available at Richland Library Main, they detail the standard pricing structure for these services.

DC Public Library Printing Services

The DC Public Library system, which serves Washington, D.C., offers distinct printing policies that include a free option for patrons. Customers with a library card or a DC One Card can print up to 20 pages per day at no cost. This free allowance can be used for either color or black-and-white prints. For those who exceed the 20-page limit, the cost is $0.10 per page for black and white and $0.25 per page for color. The library also provides copying and scanning services, with a limit of 20 pages per day at no cost for these services as well. All copying and scanning are self-service, and scans are emailed to the patron; the library advises checking the "Junk" folder if the scan does not appear in the inbox.

Remote Printing Procedures

DC Public Library has a remote printing option that allows customers to send documents electronically for printing at any library location. This service requires sending print jobs via email; USB sticks or other media storage devices are not accepted. All emails and attachments are deleted from the system after 48 hours. To use this service, patrons must send their print job to the specific email address of their desired pick-up location. The process for retrieving the print job involves several steps: 1. Send the print job to the correct library email address. 2. Wait for a confirmation email. 3. Provide the email address of the print job to library staff upon arrival at the selected location. 4. Staff will retrieve the printed job.

It is important to note that all print jobs are printed on 8.5” x 11” paper, double-sided, and as-is, meaning staff will not make any formatting changes or edits. Print jobs sent on Thursday and Friday are held until closing on Monday. The provided list of library emails includes locations such as Anacostia Library, Arthur Capper TechExpress, Bellevue/William O. Lockridge Library, Benning/Dorothy I. Height Library, Capitol View Library, Chevy Chase Library, Cleveland Park Library, Deanwood Library, Francis A. Gregory Library, Georgetown Library, and Lamond Riggs/Lillian J.

Additional Library Services

Beyond printing, the Columbia Public Library (part of the broader Richland Library system) offers a variety of other services. These include free notary services, provided by two notaries on staff; however, availability is limited, and patrons are advised to call the library for hours. The library also provides laminating services for a fee: $0.75 per sheet for standard 8.5x11 paper or cardstock and $1.00 per linear foot for poster-sized items up to 25 inches wide. The large laminator requires 20-30 minutes to heat up, and the patron must be present during the process.

The library also offers faxing services. Outgoing faxes are free to local and toll-free numbers, while other outgoing faxes cost $1.00 for the first page and $0.50 for each additional page. Receiving faxes costs $0.25 per page, and documents can be sent to a specific number provided by the library. Additionally, the library provides meeting rooms for non-profit events and meetings to anyone residing within the Columbia city limits who has a library card in good standing. Reservations can be made online or at the front desk, and there is no fee, though library events take precedence.

Computer access is available at various libraries. For instance, the DC Public Library offers computers with Microsoft Office and provides 70-minute full sessions or multiple 15-minute express sessions per day on a first-come, first-served basis. The Columbia Public Library also has internet-enabled computers for public use.

Digital collections are another key resource. Libraries subscribe to services like Cloud Library, Overdrive/Libby, and Hoopla, offering eBooks, eAudiobooks, magazines, music, TV shows, and movies. Access typically requires a library card number and a PIN, which is usually the last four digits of the phone number provided during registration.

Conclusion

Libraries in Columbia, including Columbia University libraries and the Richland Library system, offer valuable printing and related services to their communities. Columbia University provides a robust, touchless printing system (PawPrint) for its students and faculty, alongside free self-serve scanners. Public libraries in the area, such as Richland Library and DC Public Library, offer printing, copying, and scanning services, with DC Public Library providing a specific daily free printing allowance for cardholders. Procedures for accessing these services vary, particularly for remote printing, which requires specific email addresses and adherence to formatting guidelines. Patrons should consult individual library websites or contact library staff for the most current information on costs, availability, and service policies.

Sources

1. Columbia University Library - Print, Scan, Digitize
2. Columbia Public Library Services
3. DC Public Library - Printing and Computer Access
4. Richland Library Main - Columbia Community Hub