Just had the first printer patron of the day.

She asked for a print card and I gladly issued her one. (A refresher: It costs 10 cents per page to print from the library computers. We register patrons cards with a monetary balance to help ease the process of printing. Students get print cards for free through their student fees, whereas public patrons can buy them beginning at $1.) She went to a computer and brought up the document she wanted to print and selected the Print icon.

When selecting to print, a dialog box will appear for the patron to name their print job. She types in her name. So far, so good. She approaches the circulation desk again.

Printer Patron: "Is there anything special I'm supposed to type when the box pops up for me to name my print job?"

The Boss: "No, most people put their name there."

Printer Patron: "I did that and nothing happened. The printer is not printing."

The Boss: "Did you go to the printer and swipe your print card?"

Printer Patron: "No."

I proceed to explain how to swipe her print card and she walks off. I assume she got the printer to work.

I do wonder how she thought holding a print card in her hand would make the job print. Like the computer and printer can differentiate between a patron with a print card and one without. What kind of technology do these people think exists now? In their minds, I guess it would work like a Pike Pass for the turnpike. Wow, that is a great idea.

I also wonder what she thought all that extra equipment around the printer was for while she waited for her job to print. Did it ever enter her mind that the card reader might be used for something? Or that the posted instructions written in plain English actually applied to her?
Good morning, Friday.

- The Boss