[Web4lib] Waiting Lists for Computers

[HAZEL Margaret E]

Related question -

We are about to begin with PAMS, because they could integrate our
existing patron SmartCards.

We'd originally thought we did not want to have a large LED or plasma
screen to display the queue, to let folks know when their PC reservation
was ready, and to instead simply install the reservation software and
queue on all the catalog PCs, so users could toggle back and forth, and
check there.

We have three floors in our Downtown library, and 2 small branches.  We
think the toggle might still work in the branches.  But at
Downtown...are we inviting crowds of folks to monopolize catalog PCs,
and hovering over each other's shoulders to see the screen?  Are the
larger display methods a distraction to service, do they encourage
crowds to gather, too, would we need to provide seating there,  do we
need screens on all 3 floors?  Each floor is the length of a city block
- if we only have one on each floor, is that poor service?  I guess we'd
still have it available on the catalog PCs, too.

How are other places handling this, and do you feel it's working, what
are your concerns?

Thanks.

-Margaret
Margaret E. Hazel
Principal Librarian for Technology
Eugene Public Library
Eugene, OR  


-----Original Message-----
From: web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org
[mailto:web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of Joan G. Henderson
Sent: Wednesday, April 05, 2006 1:01 PM
To: web4lib at webjunction.org
Subject: RE: [Web4lib] Waiting Lists for Computers

I heard good things about SAM, particularly about a plug-in for wireless
management (in most recent issue of "Computers in Libraries").

Joan Henderson
Ferguson Public Library
Ferguson, MO


-----Original Message-----
From: web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org
[mailto:web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of Louise Alcorn
Sent: Wednesday, April 05, 2006 2:45 PM
To: web4lib at webjunction.org
Subject: RE: [Web4lib] Waiting Lists for Computers


 Most of these systems you can have them set it up either way, or both!
My little soapbox:  You should *never* install such a system without
being very clear with the vendor about what service levels you want to
create, and how you want it to work for both staff and patrons.  All of
the big vendors--Pharos, Comprise (SAM), Envisionware, etc.--have
options for multiple forms of queueing and waitlisting.  It should be up
to YOU (the library staff), not the vendor.  

We're in the process of installing one of these ourselves (SAM, as it
happens--we went with a different company for the last 5 years).  I have
created a small, loose committee to deal with these issues, and we are
meeting with the vendor to explain what we want and get price lists
accordingly.  We went through a RFQ (request for quote) process first,
to narrow down our choices.  Our RFQ was very specific about what we
wanted, but also allowed for the vendor to offer us 'bells and whistles'
we hadn't thought of.  We were pretty close to the mark when they quotes
came in.

Best of luck!
Louise
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Louise E. Alcorn
Reference Technology Librarian
West Des Moines Public Library
4000 Mills Civic Pkwy
West Des Moines IA 50265
(515) 222-3573      louise.alcorn at wdm-ia.com
http://www.wdmlibrary.org 

-----Original Message-----
From: web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org
[mailto:web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of Joan G. Henderson
Sent: Wednesday, April 05, 2006 2:02 PM
To: Web4lib at webjunction.org
Subject: RE: [Web4lib] Waiting Lists for Computers

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

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