[WEB4LIB] email in libraries

[Jane Ratner]

Hello Elvio

We have struggled with the question of how to best offer email access to 
our patrons, too.  After looking at the implications of offering POP mail 
we decided that at this time it would not be practical to do so, given the 
rapid turnover of patrons at given internet machines, the need to 
train patrons to use POP, concerns about the 
labor intensive nature of making sure that settings were changed, etc.  As a 
result, we began an aggressive program to train patrons to use web-based email 
providers, by way of formal group programs and also one-on-one sessions 
that patrons could schedule with librarians if they needed additional help.

We have offered telnet access to off-site email providers because many of 
our public library patrons have university accounts they like to check.  
In the 2 1/2 years we have done that we have (so far) not had any problems.

I hope this helps.

Jane Ratner
Willard Public Library
Battle Creek, Michigan