[WEB4LIB] Patrons causing problems with online gaming sites

[K.G. Schneider]

Thanks for sharing this scenario on Web4Lib. I see several issues here. 

> We have a number of middle-school-aged children who frequently use our
> public Internet computers during the summer.  I believe some of them
> would stay on all day long if we let them. 

Perhaps you have these, but if I were mixing up a recipe, I would be sure to
add:

1. A computer use policy and user agreement 
2. A policy about how long people can stay on computers
3. Signs posting the key tenets of the agreement
4. Support from the higher-ups about enforcing the policy

> list online games as a reason for our offering public Internet access,
> we do not currently block it, either. 

It's not the format, it's the behavior. 

> However, lately it has begun to
> cause problems - both with computer congestion (patrons with legitimate
> uses are forced to wait in line for an open computer), 

Let's separate out the congestion problem. Depending on your resources, you
could set aside several computers and allow gaming on them (perhaps even
pick one and allow ONLY gaming on it), and then attempt to block games on
the other machines. Resource allocation is a legitimate end.  

> it would be fun to pry some keys off of a keyboard).  I am thinking of
> recommending to our director that we block these online gaming sites -
> or at the very least, threaten to block them.  I know we would have some
> very angry young patrons, but if they refuse to use our computers
> responsibly (and these are brand-new high-end Dells), we have no choice
> but to eliminate the main reason why they're on there.

Your patrons who can't use computers or who are subject to out-of-control
children are probably not happy, either. It's also likely there are kids who
would like to use the library computers (and would maybe like to do some
gaming themselves) but they are intimidated by the bad element. 

Using someone else's card to get online should be treated as if they were
using someone else's ATM card. In that scenario, both kids should have their
cards revoked or suspended. And call me really old-fashioned and I'm
violating their right to privacy--I'm very un-PC when it comes to kids--but
while you're at it, call or mail their parents. 

If you focus on the behavior--not the format--you'll be in good shape for
whatever the kids think up next...

K.G. Schneider
kgs at bluehighways.com