[WEB4LIB] Floppy disks in the Library

[Masters, Gary E]

Several years ago at A&M in Laredo, we had units with 5.25" drives.  Ever so
often a person would take the ProQuest image CD out of its case (we tried
glue later) and put it in a floppy drive.  I got good at putting a piece of
plastic tape on a ruler and using it to pull the CD out.  Often they were
damaged beyond reuse.  And we had little signs on the drives.  

I once asked a person who had done that (my attitude mush have shown)
because she got quite angry.  "That is exactly how I put a CD in my car's
player."  My lesson was that people have a reason for what ever they do -
however strange it may seem to you.  If you can learn that reason, it is
easier to change their behavior.

Regards,

Gary


Gary E. Masters
Librarian (Systems)
CDRH - FDA
(301) 827-6893 

	-----Original Message-----
	From:	Tasmin R. Mills [SMTP:tmills at lawrence.lib.ks.us]
	Sent:	Wednesday, August 01, 2001 10:10 AM
	To:	Multiple recipients of list
	Subject:	[WEB4LIB] Floppy disks in the Library

	I would like to know if there are any libraries that have a policy
about 
	patrons bringing floppy disks from home.  We are experiencing the
problem 
	of floppy disks getting stuck in computers and patrons and staff
forcibly 
	trying to remove them.  It is difficult to educate patrons on proper
floppy 
	care but I see that it needs to be done.

	Do you allow floppy disks from home or do you have patrons purchase
floppy 
	disks from you.  However, this still doesn't solve the problem of
the new 
	disk being damaged and then brought back to the library and used.

	Suggestions?

	trm
	-----------

	Tasmin R. Mills
	Technology Coordinator
	Lawrence Public Library
	707 Vermont Street
	Lawrence, KS 66049

	785-843-3833, ext 106
	785-843-3833, ext 124 (voice)
	785-843-3688, (FAX)