[WEB4LIB] Re: E-mail in Public Libraries

[Andrew Mutch]

Brent,

While I understand where you are coming from with some of these points [although
I respectfully disagree with them], I take issue with the position that the use
of e-mail is "abusing the priveledge we have granted to the community".  First,
there are many other uses of the Internet that I consider more frivilous than
those who use it to check and send e-mail.  Furthermore, I have to disagree with
a viewpoint that positions Internet access as "priviledge".  I think most of us
on this list consider Internet services to be an integral part of the library
service.  Also, libraries and the resources in them exist to serve the
communities - not the other way around.

Also, you should realize that Huntington Woods is quite unique in terms of its
service population.  Most libraries serve much more diverse populations and in
many of those communities, the library provides the only accessible Internet
access for many people in the community.  The idea that those who want e-mail
access "should consider purchasing a personal computer for their home" is
neither realistic, practical or equitable.  Access to Internet resources should
not be determined by one's social or economic status.

I understand that it must be frustrating to have all these wonderful on-line
databases available for patrons to access and then see all the terminals busy
with people accessing e-mail.  I think there are several options for you to
explore.  First, as was noted earlier, if there is serious "abuse" by the
regulars, limit the number of hours per day that they can get on the computers -
even if no one is waiting.  Also, explore dedicating a workstation for specific
uses - like the on-line databases.  My experience is that workstations dedicated
that way will experience cycles of use that peak after school hours and drop at
other times.  Patrons may wonder why the workstation isn't available for other
uses but at least you ensure that there are some workstations available for
"serious" use.  I think you already realize that whatever your policy states,
staff is unwilling or unable to enforce it and the patrons are circumventing it
- clearly the policy is not enforcable.

The reality is sometimes the public doesn't "appreciate" the resources that the
library has to offer.  That's life and would be a good lesson to learn before
going off to library school.  I've seen in my short time in libraries enough
fresh-faced grads of library school all full of idealistic concepts of how the
library should work.  What a surprise it is for them to discover that the
patrons don't always follow the models that their profs taught them!  I'm all
for trying to convince the public of they "really" want but the final arbiter of
their needs is themselves - libraries and librarians who fail to recognize that
are doomed to disappointment.

PS - I don't think the library is liable for patrons "abuse" of e-mail nor do I
expect to see an e-mail tax in my lifetime.

Andrew Mutch
Library Systems Technician
Waterford Township Public Library
Waterford, MI




"Brent J. Pliskow" wrote:

> > This is one issue that always pushes my hot button.  If you search the
> > Web4Lib archives, you'll probably encounter my previous rants on this
> > subject.
>
> While this issue also "pushes my hot button," I will respectfully tone down
> my emotions.  Nothing can hurt by reintroducing an issue.  Some views may
> have changed as people may have gained more information, and we also have to
> give a chance for new members to voice their opinions.
>
> > Brent, it sounds like you and your fellow staff are making a value
> judgement
> > when you say, "We do not believe our patrons are making good use of the
> > resource we have provided them."  What is so awful about people using
> > e-mail?
>
> The opening of our Internet Usage policy states that "The mission of the
> Huntington Woods Library is to serve the community by providing access to
> informational, cultural, educational and leisure resources."  By leisure, we
> do not mean e-mail.  We believe those that sit at the computer all day and
> send e-mail should consider purchasing a personal computer for their home.
> They are abusing the priveledge we have granted to the community.  The
> clause, "at the discretion of the librarian," is a key phrase in our policy.
> This allows for e-mail communication for purely research purposes.  It is
> not us making the value judgement, we are merely guided by the policies our
> Library Advisory Board creates.
>
> Furthermore, a valid argument is an issue of legality.  If a patron uses our
> machines to send e-mail for illegal purposes, that e-mail can be traced back
> to our library and in turn we may face legal prosecuction.  This is an issue
> that I have not researched enough to comment further.
>
> > What most libraries around these parts do is limit the amount of time one
> > patron can spend at an Internet computer; people sign up for a half hour
> or
> > an hour at a time.  In some libraries, where the Internet computers are in
> > high demand, patrons may be limited to one time slot per day.  That is how
> > you deal with the problem of "...'regulars' that spend an entire afternoon
> > sending e-mail."
>
> Our current policy allows for usage of the computer for one hour.  However,
> it is only enforced when all computers are in use and another patron would
> like to use them.  Unfortunatley, this does not solve the problem of
> regulars.
>
> > If you truly "...do not believe that people are making good use of the
> > resource...," you need to stop and think about the multi-faceted functions
> > of a community public library.  Scholarly research is generally low on the
> > totem pole...compared to to the number of romance novels, thrillers,
> action
> > videos, etc., that circulate.  Do you make meeting rooms available to the
> > public?  So do we.  Meeting rooms are a high demand item.  There's a UFO
> > group that meets at one of the branches.  Some would call that frivolous,
> > considering that service clubs and support groups also compete for these
> > rooms.
>
> Actually, you need to stop and take a look at the community itself.  Our
> community has a very high number of those with Master's degrees or higher.
> In other words, our community is fairly well educated.  As a result, our
> general circulation is fiction, with a good number of non-fiction books for
> general research.  Our meeting rooms are often filled with book discussion
> groups.
>
> > And...uh...some people do belong to e-mail support groups.
>
> I wish I could refer some of  our patrons to one of those support groups.
> However, I realize that it is impossible to take away a service we already
> reluctantly provide.  It would cause more harm than good.  At the same time,
> I will hold firmly to my beliefs that the library's computers are not to be
> used for e-mail.  All of this may sound weird, or even a little confusing
> coming from a future library student.  Heck, I will even admit that I am
> often addicted to e-mail.  Still, the fact remains that in a public setting,
> I would rather see the computers used for more academic purposes.
>
> In the near future, it will be interesting how views will change as the
> government will begin taxing for the use of e-mail.
>
> **************************
> Brent J. Pliskow
> Huntington Woods Public Library
> Webmaster / Technology Assistant
> Web Site: http://www.huntington-woods.lib.mi.us
> E-mail: pliskowbj at hiram.edu