[WEB4LIB] RE: Patrons causing problems with online gaming

[Andrew Mutch]

Melanie,

As I noted in a previous post, we've found that having these computers
segregated for just word processing use results in very low levels of use
compared to our Internet computers. On the other hand, we've had dedicated word
processing computers for years so our patrons do have an expectation that these
computers will be available for that use.

Many of our patrons working on resumes and other "word processing" projects do
want and need Internet access. The way that we handled this was by adding Word
to all of our Internet computers. This allows them to work on their resume and
have Internet access at the same time. The patrons who want this access do have
to wait their turn for our Internet computers which sometimes means they have to
wait for a computer to open up. Also, sometimes they need more time than the
volumes of traffic will allow on our Internet computers. In those cases, we
encourage them to do their work on the word processing computers until they
reach the point they actually need Internet access.

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



Hogue Melanie wrote:

> When we decided to block games and chat in our public library, we waited to
> see if there would be a censorship problem. There wasn't. It was presented
> as an allocation of resources problem related to the keeping of a written
> Internet Policy.
>
> Also, the problem of persons trying to use other people's library accounts
> to abuse the time limits has been successfully handled by using Karen's idea
> of identity theft. We had one young man who was bringing in groups of
> different girls every day and showing them how to set up accounts on the
> dating bulletin boards. He was logging on using his own and another woman's
> account. We called her and found out that he did not have permission to be
> using it, so we were able to ban him from the library for a year for
> identity theft. Our policy states that anyone who gives false information to
> obtain library services use can be denied. Needless to say we were also
> worried about his activities with the women; but it was not our business to
> investigate.
>
> When we notice someone on the computers for an unusually long period of
> time, we check the history to see if they are using two numbers. When this
> is the case, we explain that allowing them to have more time than others
> violates the spirit of the rules. We suggest that if they were the patron
> waiting (and we do have people waiting at times) they would want fair
> access.
>
> QUESTION: Regarding segregation by use, we are considering removal of
> Internet access from our computers that have word processing capabilities
> because we have patrons who would occupy these machines for surfing when
> there are people waiting to type resumes, etc. Does anyone have a story
> about the success or failure of this policy? I'm thinking that there are
> patrons who need Internet access to compile information for a letter or
> paper they are typing.
>
> Melanie Amy Hogue, Librarian I
> Business, Science & Technology
> Chattanooga-Hamilton County Bicentennial Library
>