[Web4lib] Waiting Lists for Computers

Wed Apr 5 15:02:18 EDT 2006

We are going to have Envisionware installed soon.  

Do you use Self-Logon and the stand-alone Reservation workstation to
checkout computers?  Or, does staff still perform checkout functions?

I am trying to figure out how self-queuing works with Envisionware.  Does
the patron go directly to the stand-alone Reservation workstation first, and
then is assigned a computer by Envisionware.  Or, does the patron go
directly to a computer, if available, and only when all computer are taken,
does he/she then go to the stand-alone Reservation workstation? Staff are
basically not involved in computer checkout, except to, say, extend times
for a patron, right?

Joan Henderson
Ferguson Public Library
Ferguson, MO

-----Original Message-----
From: web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org
[mailto:web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of Phillip Whitford
Sent: Wednesday, April 05, 2006 11:33 AM
To: Web4lib at webjunction.org
Subject: RE: [Web4lib] Waiting Lists for Computers

Try and get funding for some public pc management software. We use
PCReservation from Envisionware but there are others. Since we have been
using it the problems like you describe have been reduced considerably. It
saves staff time, helps prevent disagreements between patrons and between
patrons and staff, and is well worth the cost. It allows lots of flexibility
and provides good statistics so you can manage your computers much more
efficiently. Even helps us with CIPA. 

In answer to your specific questions: 1. Yes we do. So we can maximize the
use of the pcs and be fair to all patrons. We have different limits
depending on the area the pc is in. In our lab patrons can use a machine for
two 1 hour sessions. If no one is waiting each of those sessions can be
extended by 1 hour. We have shorter times in Youth Services and longer in
Local History. 2. PCReservation handles the waiting list issue and it works
great.

I'd be happy to answer additional questions about PCReservation or our
setup.

Phillip B. Whitford
Manager Support Services Division
Braswell Memorial Library
Rocky Mount, NC 27804
Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of my organization.  

-----Original Message-----
From: web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org
[mailto:web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of Michele Haytko
Sent: Wednesday, April 05, 2006 11:30 AM
To: Web4lib at webjunction.org; publib
Subject: [Web4lib] Waiting Lists for Computers

I have a question for the collective brain. ;-)  My apologies for
cross-postings.

I am drafting something to take to my supervisor and am wondering how other
libraries handle this problem.

We have a computer lab of 16 machines.  We guarantee users a half hour
minimum and then, once we have a waiting list, boot folks off in the order
they signed into the lab.  Staff, volunteers, and patrons have complained
about our waiting list "rules".  Right now, patrons who have been on all
day, then sign-out, then sign in 2 minutes later have their clock restarted.
Many view this as unfair.  For example, Patron A signs in at 9am, then
leaves at 2pm, then returns at 2:10pm.  We immediately get busy and the lab
fills up.  The "earliest" sign-in is from 1pm, so Patron B (the 1pm) gets
kicked off, while Patron A, who has used the Lab for over 5 hours gets a
free pass.  We currently have no limit to the amount of times a patron can
come into the lab.

So, my questions are these:
1.  Do you have mins/maxs on computer usage? If so, why and what are they;
if not, why not? 2.  How do you handle waiting lists? 3.  Do you enforce
once or twice a day usage policies (i.e. a patron is allowed one 1-hour
session per day, etc)?  If so, how does this model work for you? If not, why
not?

Anything else you can offer would be so very helpful.
Thanks in advance for your assistance.
~michele~

--

**************)0(**************
Mrs. C. Michele Haytko
Montgomery County-
      Norristown Public Library
MC-NPL Computer Lab
1001 Powell Street
Norristown, PA 19401
610-278-5100 Ext. 141

"Be the change you wish to see in the world." -Gandhi
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