Here are a few comments on photocopiers for libraries. We presently do not have a photocopier in the library. There are 2 options for funding such an operation. They have a special platent that accomodates books and bound journals without breaking the spine over repeated use. In my experience the big companies like xerox can give you very accurate forecasts of costs and build much of the servicing into the base lease agreement.
Photocopiers are an absolute requirement of life in our library.
Granted we are larger than a normal hospital library but certainly easy access is a basic requirement for any library. As budgets diminish and sharing resources becomes a bigger part of daily operations, the need for a workable copyright policy grows. I have to admit that some of my decisions on whether or not we can fill a particular photocopy request depend on who's requesting, what the request is for, and how I feel that day. I am more likely to give a favourable interpretation of my somewhat-foggy understanding of copyright guidelines if the request comes from one of our affiliated teaching hospitals, or if the request is for an article from a journal that is not particularly available elsewhere. So, in an attempt to formulate some better guidelines, I would love to know what other libraries do in the following hypothetical situations.