[WEB4LIB] policing Internet usage

[Mark Roesner]

I'm not sure how well this would work with 20 terminals, as we only have 4,
but here is our self-serve solution.

We have a white board (with dry erase markers and a clock) where customers
can sign themselves in. It has these columns on it.

Computer Number - with each station having a number posted on top of it.
Name of user (first name or alias usually)
Time started on machine

Waiting list for next machine - if all of them are busy. Customer wait close
by and are very good at watching what the time is and letting people know
that their time is up.

The white board has a quick note on top to limit sessions to 20 minutes at a
time and users must abide by our policies, posted nearby. (and on the
initial screen)

Most customers catch on right away. If they don't, other customers gladly
help them or staff explain that they must sign in. It has helped cut down on
many problems with over use. Of course, there are always customers who try
to get around the system, by putting down a time that is 5 minutes in the
future, or going back to the board and changing the time, etc. I don't think
we can ever devise a system that would stop this.

As for creating a 5 minute station, I don't think this is enough time for
the vast majority of the people at our location. Most spend the entire time
on their machines (but then again, we don't allow e-mail, chat, etc. so most
people are reading sites).

Hope this helps,

Mark Roesner
Internet Librarian
Edmonton Public Library



 -----Original Message-----
From: 	Lee Jouthas [mailto:ljofrm at alam1.lib.co.alameda.ca.us] 
Sent:	Wednesday, July 21, 1999 10:49 AM
To:	Multiple recipients of list
Subject:	[WEB4LIB] policing Internet usage

I work in a library with 20 public access Internet terminals.  These
terminals 
are a recently installed upgrade to our catalog offering full Internet
access 
including email, chat etc, plus our catalog and periodical databases.  

We ask users to limit themselves to 20 minutes when others are waiting for a

terminal and there are signs to this effect in prominent locations.  Most 
people seem to not be observing the 20 minute limit so staff have found it 
necessary to make periodic announcements reminding people of the time limit.

One of our worst problems is a group of young people who show up everyday
and 
use the terminals to chat With Each Other!  I know other libraries have had 
this problem.

We are now discussing some possible solutions which include possibly making 
one or two terminals "express" stations only (5 minutes)...taking signups,
(a 
solution no one wants; the workload for our reference desk for 20 terminals
is
just mind boggling) or even blocking email/chat/games on selected terminals.

(Perhaps the express terminals only?)  I don't even know if this can be
done.

So my question to the list; have others dealt with this issue and has anyone

come up with a creative way to increase turnover on their terminals in a
fair 
and equitable manner?

Any input is much appreciated!

Lee Jouthas
Reference Librarian
Alameda County Library, Fremont Main
http://aclibrary.org

*************************************