Reference service and computers--further reflections

[Sally Jaeger]

Just a few thoughts from a beleaguered reference librarian in a large 
urban library.  We have 20 public access computers, excluding our dynix 
terminals--few of the same make, model and vintage.  Ditto the five copiers 
and five reader printers, not to mention the two fiche readers and the 
typewriter.  Add into the mix that we rotate desks twice a day and you 
have a technicalogical nightmare.  There are days when you do little but 
trouble shoot machines or give five minute "how-to" courses.

We do what we can to keep everything running but I wonder about the level 
of reference service when I'm spending so much of my time re-booting 
computers, reinstalling printers, clearing copier jams and 
threading reader printers.  We do have technical support staff who handle 
major problems, but reference staff does "sweat " the small stuff.


Sally Jaeger                             sjaeger at genesee.freenet.org
Flint Public Library
1026 E. Kearsley Street
Flint, Michigan 48502
810-232-7111-244