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A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Paperless Office...
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A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Paperless Office...
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There we all were -- sailing blissfully down the road to the paperless office. Computer technology everywhere. Web-based this and Web-based that. Then we realized our desks were covered with all sorts of printed words, printed images, and non-LED material -- and we found ourselves digging to find Repro Graphics' telephone number to order more. More than 60 Years On Campus
If you didn't already know, IET Repro Graphics provides copying, printing and print design services to the campus. Of course, they provide Web site design and development, too. But how does an organization that has been around more than 60 years—one that is firmly rooted in the art of traditional printing—survive in our new paperless, Web-based world? Well, to be sure, we're not quite there yet, but Repro Graphics is constantly reinventing itself in light of new technologies, new laws, new processes and new service requests from campus.
Course Material Preparation
Take course readers and syllabi, for example. Instructors prepare these every quarter, and they often include a smorgasbord of materials from a variety of sources. Often times the best text is out of print, or the compiled material includes magazine and journal articles as well as elements from the World Wide Web. Repro Graphics helps obtain copyright release permission from all these sources, and then uses the latest print and copy technologies to produce high quality course materials. They digitally scan the originals and electronically store them for use in the next course, or in the next quarter, or for reprints the next day. When the project is completed, Repro Graphics establishes a competitive retail price for the course readers and syllabi and delivers them to the Bookstore for the convenience of the students. The desk copies are then delivered to the instructor.
And this summer, Repro Graphics is developing a new service that will enable instructors to incorporate their course readers and syllabi directly into their course Web sites through MyUCDavis. Using email, the whole class will then be notified automatically. So without leaving campus—in fact without leaving their campus office—instructors will be able to complete their course preparations quickly and conveniently. From obtaining copyright releases to making the packets available to students, to free pick up and delivery, the Repro Graphics staff makes it easy. And how long does this take? To ensure timely delivery, if you're an instructor thinking of using this service, it's best to place your order for syllabi and course readers with Repro Graphics at about the same time you place your text orders with the Bookstore. Looking Forward
Now, Repro Graphics is on the verge of reinventing itself again. A Review Committee convened by John Bruno, Vice Provost for Information and Educational Technology, and headed by Lana Moffitt, director of IET Information Resources, will soon produce a report. The report, reflecting the work of key campus administrators familiar with the Repro Graphics organization, is expected to provide a strong foundation for defining the future strategic direction of the Repro Graphics department. An Executive Summary will be posted on the Repro Graphics Web site when the Review Committee completes its work. But one thing is certain: even if the Web-based, paperless world were to arrive on campus tomorrow, the Repro Graphics staff would continue to apply their deep experience to the art of publishing. So if you need to copy it, design it, print it, or see it on the Web, Repro Graphics is here to serve you. Just call them at 752-COPY.
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