I think that the copiers ought to be able to make double-sided copies,
because when a professor asked us to make copies of a packet for our
entire group(five people), we each had to waste paper by making his 5
page, double sided packet into a 10 page single sided one! This wasted
our money, too, and made more than a few students frustrated with the
machines. Also, there needs to be thorough instructions on how to print
at the printing stations. I don't mind helping Freshmen, but having
three of them come up to me in five minutes (as I waited for the
copier... single sided... grrr..) was a little ridiculous. The system
isn't as easy to figure out as you might think. If the instructions are
there, let's make them in a large, colorful font with arrows pointing at
the printer. Maybe that will help. :-)

Interim Associate University Librarian for Public Services Barbara Anderson replies...

You're right! It would be great if the Cabell Library photocopiers could make double-sided copies. In fact, from one of our resident photocopy machine experts I've learned that it actually is possible to do this. It might save a few tree branches, but it won't help your Rambucks card balance since each double-sided page ends up costing the same as two single-side pages, and it will actually take up more of your time in the bargain. Paper jams are also an increased risk, with a whole different level of frustration.

If you still want to try double-sided copying on Cabell machines, here's how it works:
1.Copy first side as normal by placing the original on the glass and pressing start.
2. Place copied page face up in bypass tray (lower left side of machine) with bottom of page closest to user
3. Copier will detect paper loaded in tray and ask user to confirm that paper is there by touching confirm key on touch screen
4. User must select Paper Supply - Other using touch screen
5. Then select Bypass Tray and press save using touch screen
6. Position second page of original to be copied on the glass
7. Press start using key pad

But who would know (and, really, who would want to know)? Unfortunately, we can't do much about the features available on the machines we have at the moment, but it's certainly worth taking a look at this the next time our photocopier equipment contract is up for renewal. As for the need for better and clearer instructions, you're right again! That's something that we actually can and should do something about. We'll see what we can pull together to help with this. Meanwhile, thank you for coming to the aid of our freshman students and for doing so cheerfully! (That was a suppressed "grrr," wasn't it?)

For future reference, there is another option that might have served you and your classmates well in this situation.. In the Library's Media and Reserve Services Dept. there are some scanners that are freely available to the VCU community. So, it should be possible to scan the packet contents and save to a file for viewing online or printing at home later. You could also send the file to one of the Pay for Print printers, which do provide double-sided printing, although the cost would only be slightly lower than photocopying (two-sided black and white printing is $.17 per page) and probably not worth the extra time and trouble.

An even better option might have been for the professor to have scanned the packet and made it available via Blackboard or our electronic course reserves services> Of course, that's really the professor's prerogative, but if you are comfortable making this suggestion you might refer him/her to our Course Reserves "Information for Faculty"web page.