Hi Jacqueline,
I run an academic library makerspace. We allow for a small amount of free supplies for every student each semester. After they use their free supplies they can bring in their own supplies. We run on the honor system for this, as it would be really hard to track how much each student has used. We have had two students that I can remember who we've had to say something to about using too many materials. Most students are very conscientious. I'll have to look into our budget to find the exact amount we spend on consumables each semester/year. If you're interested, I can do that for you. So far our Dean has said he is not concerned at all about supply use. Our users have to be Miami students, faculty, or staff.
A huge pro to providing the supplies for free is that we don't create barriers for any students who may have to worry about costs. Additionally, it saves us a lot of headache having to charge students, as university policy states that projects for academic use would not require tax but personal projects would. So, we'd be in a position where we would have to ask every student whether the supplies their purchasing are for academic or personal purposes.
The exception is when we work with courses or special events with other university partners. If I have a class coming in where every student will be using materials, we often just charge materials to that department.
Best,
Sarah
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Sarah Nagle
Creation and Innovation Services Librarian
Miami University
She/Her/Hers
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