[WEB4LIB] E-mail in libraries

[Dan Lester]

First, thanks to those who've already jumped to my defense.  I appreciate
the kind words.  Now for a few not-too-brief comments of my own.

At 01:07 PM 10/13/98 -0700, dublinpub at lycosmail.com wrote:
>This response is addressed to Dan Lester, who likes to refer to his 
>library's patrons as "bozos" because they use chat, games, and e-mail at the 
>local workstations. To Dan Lester:
>While I agree that users (not bozos) should not use library workstations for 
>chat and games, e-mail is a legitimate tool for researchers, students and 
>library patrons. It is a form of communication which libraries should 

Well, if one follows that line of reasoning, there are plenty of legitimate
"research" purposes of games and of chat.  I imagine your public library
has a number of educational games, and I'm sure your school media centers
do too.  So, if you rule in one, you have to rule in all three.

>encourage, not seek to block. I can think of several reference databases 
>which allow users to forward results to themselves (citations and full-text) 
>via e-mail. Listserv subscriptions are also a legitimate form of research 
>for which e-mail access is necessary. 

We use plenty of databases that allow results to be emailed.  That is fine,
as those are web functions, and the scripts on the servers handle it.  Our
own web-based catalog allows that too.  Check http://catalyst.idbsu.edu/ if
you wish.  

As the owner of a dozen LISTSERV(R) lists, most of them academic or
professional in nature, I certainly understand the utility of them.
However, remember I'm talking about an academic library, not a public
library.   Our students and faculty have (mostly pop3) email accounts that
they can access from a computer lab, their offices, or their homes.  Since
we have over a dozen labs on campus, with from fifty to ninety seats each,
there is NO REASON they need to do email on one of the 22 workstations in
the library.  They are designed for LIBRARY USE, and have trained
librarians and library assistants available to assist with their use.  No
one affiliated with the university is being kept from doing all the
research (or play) that they wish with games, chat, or email.  

It is true that the "general public", who is welcome to come into our
building (as we're a state university) to read or do research, is NOT able
to do those things here.  That isn't our problem, as they're not our
primary clientele.  They also can't get into the labs without a university
ID card.  They can go to a number of other establishments to get that
access, including the public library, which is about five blocks away, and
has much better parking.  

>Your attempt to block/filter patrons' use of e-mail is very narrow-minded 
>and does nothing to address the real problem, which is the lack of adequate 
>Internet resources/terminals for your library community. Your attempt to 

It isn't an "attempt"; it works.  As stated before, set your browser to
proxy to 132.178.18.75, port 8080, and then try to go to chat.yahoo.com.
You'll see that it works.  Also, remember that I used the term BOZO not to
refer to all library patrons, but to just that small subset that
chronically violating rules.  Had I been in a less public and professional
forum, I would probably have used some more colorful language that would be
a better description.

I just heard today from the librarian who worked Friday night reference
that a BOZO came to her and complained that "I can't get to my email
tonight".  Well, she reminded him that email was not permitted, and hadn't
he noticed the wallpaper, the default screens, and the signs pasted onto
the monitors.  He said "Sure, but I always ignore that shit".   Well, that
is the kind of BOZO that we're dealing with, just as all libraries do.  No,
I'd not call this bozo a bozo to his face...I'd never insult a patron.
But, any library staff member who can say s/he's never bitched to a
colleague over coffee about some particularly
obnoxious/rude/offensive/stupid/rule-breaking BOZO is either a liar or a
saint.  

>catagorize your library's patrons as bozos is demeaning to the library 
>profession.

I'd indeed be demeaning myself and my library if I did so to the patron,
but I'd never do that.  Ever.  I consider this professional group to be
similar to a big, structured cup of coffee.  If you take offense, I'm
sorry.  And so it goes.....

>Brenda (Bozo) Tyler
>
>(Who would be unable to post this message from your library)

True enough.  See all the explanations above for why.  And, remember that I
don't MAKE the policies, and I don't agree with all policies of this
library, or others I've worked in.  But I sure do agree with this one, and
I've made the management team happy that we now have a method of easily
enforcing the policy that has been in place for six months on the BOZOS who
choose to ignore it.  

cheers

dan

--
Dan Lester, 3577 East Pecan, Boise, ID 83716-7115 USA 208-383-0165
dan at 84.com   http://www.84.com/  http://www.idaholibraries.org/
 http://library.idbsu.edu/   http://cyclops.idbsu.edu/ http://www.lili.org/  
Sent me a postcard of a library yet?  You'll get something nice in return.