[Web4lib] Waiting Lists for Computers

Wed Apr 5 17:17:49 EDT 2006

Those are really good questions.  

If patrons are setting up a "reservation" for a computer at a stand-alone
sign-up workstation (Envisionware) -- how are they notified that "it is
their turn."  Do they keep hanging around the stand-alone reservation
computer, watching the screen (or watching over someone's shoulder)?  I
wonder if the Envisionware reservation workstation comes with a voice
synthesizer so it SAYS the name of the patron who is next for a computer and
names the computer available?

Joan Henderson
Ferguson Public Library
Ferguson, MO  

-----Original Message-----
From: HAZEL Margaret E [mailto:margaret.e.hazel at ci.eugene.or.us] 
Sent: Wednesday, April 05, 2006 3:32 PM
To: Joan G. Henderson; web4lib at webjunction.org
Subject: RE: [Web4lib] Waiting Lists for Computers

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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