Patron Services: NEW OPTIONS, FEES FOR READING ROOM PRINTING SERVICES

Effective July 18, 2016 the Library of Congress will offer new services including color printing in reading rooms as part of an upgrade in reading-room technology. To partially cover printing costs, the Library will institute fees for printing from public-access computers in its reading rooms. Black-and-white printed pages (letter- or legal-size, single-sided) will cost 20 cents per page; black-and-white 11 x 17 pages will be 40 cents per page; and color prints, 50 cents per page (letter- or legal-size) and $1 for color 11 x 17-inch pages.

The Library has taken this step to allow partial cost-recovery for the provision of printing in light of its current budget. Charging for printing is a standard practice in U.S. libraries and research facilities. In addition, the fees make it possible for the Library to provide color printing, not previously available in most reading rooms.

The new printers are part of an upgrade in reading-room technology and will enable users to digitally capture materials, including scanning to email. No charge will be made for emailing or downloading scans.

Users will also be able to use credit cards to operate the printers or load a printer card from kiosks that accept cash. Questions about use of the new printing system should be directed to duplicationservices@loc.gov.

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As a reminder, the Copyright law of the United States governs the use of copyrighted materials. Library patrons may not copy or otherwise use copyrighted materials in a manner protected by law without the consent of the copyright owner, except as permitted by fair use (17 U.S.C.  §107) or other copyright law. The Library of Congress can neither grant nor deny permission to use materials in its collections. Library patrons are personally liable for any copyright infringement they commit while using Library facilities.  Additionally, Library patrons are responsible for complying with all privacy requirements.