[WEB4LIB] Re: E-mail in libraries

[Sue Kamm]

>
> I don't think any of us would try to argue we should spend thousands of
> dollars to provide public email as a separate service. But then that's
> not the real question.
>
> The real question seems to me to be that since we're spending the money to
> provide the equipment for other uses and since it doesn't cost anything
> MORE to allow its use for email, why not do so when it's possible?
>
> In those places where there are too few stations and users wanting to do
> library research have to be turned away by others hogging the computers
> to do email, I can see the point. But in those with sufficent terminals,
> why not allow it?
>
> Why not have a policy which gives academic use first priority,
> recreational use second, and email last? Then if they are all busy, bump
> the email users.
>

There are ways for librarians to restrict use of certain workstations for
searching the catalog or databases (whether they be web-based or on a LAN).  For
web-based resources, there is software, I'm told, which will automatically log out
of the web browser if a person tries to go to an unauthorized URL.

I don't think it's unreasonable to have a percentage of workstations (the number
depending on the library's clientele and the number of workstations available)
that are dedicated to searching catalogs and other library databases without other
Internet access.

BTW, for public librarians who are on this list:  DON'T let your administration
con you into installing games on your workstations!  (Even educational games.)
You'll turn into a referee for your computer use before you can say "Where in the
world is Carmen Sandiego?"

--
Your friendly CyberGoddess and ALA Councilor,
Sue Kamm
Email:  suekamm at class.org

"There were flags all over the place. Wait and see what happens; we don't know who
won the game. There are flags on the field. We have to see whether or not the
flags are against Stanford or Cal. The Bears may have made some illegal laterals.
It could be that it won't count. The Bears, believe it or not, took it all the way
into the end zone. If the penalty is against Stanford, California would win the
game. If it is not, the game is over and Stanford has won. We've heard no decision
yet. Everybody is milling around on the FIELD!!! AND THE BEARS!!! THE BEARS HAVE
WON!!! THE BEARS HAVE WON!!!  Oh my God, the most amazing, sensational, traumatic,
heart rending... exciting thrilling finish in the history of college football!
California has won... the Big Game...over Stanford. Oh excuse me for my voice, but
I have never, never seen anything like it in the history of I have ever seen any
game in my life! The Bears have won it! There will be no extra point!"
--Joe Starkey's call of the 1982 Big Game.
(The Cal Bears returned the ball 57 yards thanks to 6 laterals and the Stanford
band. The image of Kevin Moen crashing into a Stanford band member in the end zone
is a justly famous capper to this incredible game. Final score: Cal 25, Stanford
20.)