[WEB4LIB] Signing up the multitudes for Internet use [bring ' em on]

[Mark Ellis]

Jeff,

We co-developed a system called "Library Online" with a local company to
address just the problem you describe and a few others as well. :-)

Patrons can book computers via the web, IVR telephone system or kiosk. At
the workstation, client software handles authentication, menuing and
enforces patron logoff.  The system also does program registration, library
card applications, and fines payment via credit card.

For sales information, contact David Leung of SRI at (604) 435-0627 ext.101
or dleung at sri.bc.ca.  If, after speaking to David, you'd like to kick the
system's tires, contact me and I'll provide you with a temporary ID.

The URL is: http://www.rpl.richmond.bc.ca/libraryonline/

Mark Ellis
Manager, Reference and Information Services
Richmond Public Library  
Richmond, B.C.                      
(604) 231-6410
www.rpl.richmond.bc.ca



-----Original Message-----
From: Jeff Papier [mailto:mercury at voicenet.com]
Sent: Tuesday, August 01, 2000 10:22 AM
To: Multiple recipients of list
Subject: [WEB4LIB] Signing up the multitudes for Internet use


Hello Gentle ListFolk,

Contrary to all my learned prognostications, our public Internet usage has
absolutely skyrocketed over these past few years (Web, email).

We weary librarians are searching for a patron-friendly means of having
patrons sign themselves up for Internet time.  Currently we book everybody
for the 11 PCs, and it's become a drain on our time and morale.  Patrons
are allowed 1 hour of use per signup, with one signup per day (and "catch
as catch can" usage after that, depending on how free terminals are).

The archives don't speak to this issue very much, at least for the past
few years.  So, if your library has any solutions which seem to
work--whether automated or simply having sign-up sheets which the public
fills out--please let me know.

FYI, our library serves around 30,000 to 35,000 people.  It's very busy,
and located in a commute-to-NYC kinda suburb in NJ.

Thanks,

Jeff Papier
Senior Network Librarian and Weary Internet Signer-Upper
South Brunswick Public Library
Monmouth Jct., NJ 08852

mercury at voicenet.com