Patron Technophobia [was: Re:Important article]

[Robert J. Tiess]

Dorothy Fleishman wrote:
> What we are finding in terms of patron usage of the library
> is that many of the people coming to the libray are too
> technophobic to make use of what is available to them. They
> either stand like statues and wait permissible for the
> librarian to type a title into the computer for them, or
> wander the stacks in total confusion rather than ask for help.

This is a vast problem, and I wonder what steps other libraries,
as a whole, or librarians on their own are taking to reduce or
eliminate the technophobia some patrons experience.  My collegues
and I have been engaged with daily PAC training and monthly
Internet instruction.  I believe a substantial part of the
problem also involves not so much patron "computer illiteracy"
as a mild laziness or simple lack of motivation to learn a new
system or interface.  It's often challenging for patrons but 
necessary, and I sympathize with them, understanding the sharp
learning curves they face, especially when they first move from
card catalogs to PACs.  Patron technophobia is certainly nothing
new, but I am interested in what other unique steps, if any,
libraries are taking to address it, especially with respect to
Internet access.


Robert
rjtiess at warwick.net