[Web4lib] Headphones in public libraries

[Irene Scherer]

At our library, we let patrons use their own headphones or, if they
wish, we also sell headphones for what we pay for them--$2.00. Patrons
can buy the headphones at the Circulation desk.  I order about 100 at a
time.

For a few years we had provided nicer headphones, but had problems with
breakage; then, for several years we had disabled the sound on our
machines and had no headphones at all. 

We haven't had problems with the new system so far; plus, patrons
appreciate the fact that they have some options.  

The plugs for our headphones are on the front of the patron machines.
You might want to try headphone extenders if your plugs are in the back.
We have some, but I have not used them.

HTH a little!

Irene

Irene Scherer
Head of Information Technology Services
Round Lake Area Public Library
906 Hart Rd.
Round Lake, IL  60073
847-546-7060, ext. 131
847-546-7104 (fax)
ischerer at rlalibrary.org
http://www.rlalibrary.org

-----Original Message-----
From: web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org
[mailto:web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of Masud-Paul, Janice
Sent: Monday, March 26, 2007 10:01 AM
To: web4lib at webjunction.org
Subject: [Web4lib] Headphones in public libraries

Good morning.

 

We are a public library with free internet access for anyone who enters.
We also connect headphones to all of our public computers. As you might
imagine we have experienced some headphone theft, but our primary
problem is breakage.  It doesn't seem to matter if we purchase $60
headphones or the $1.00 variety; we still replace them frequently. 

 

We are considering removing the headphones from the adult stations and
selling new headphones for $2.50. We really aren't making a profit; but
it will cover the cost of purchasing the headphones and is also a more
sanitary option since the customer will keep them. We tried lending
headphones in the past but collecting and returning IDs was labor
intensive. 

 

Do any of you sell headphones in your libraries?  How much do you
charge? If you don't sell headphones have you opted to distribute them
with ID or do you require the customer to bring his/her own. Thanks in
advance for your input. --janice

 

 

Janice Masud-Paul 
Supervisor, Information Technology 
Camden County Library System 
203 Laurel Rd. 
Voorhees, NJ 08043 
janicem at camden.lib.nj.us 
856-772-1636 x3336 Phone 
856-772-6105 Fax 

 

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