Computer Use Time

Thu Apr 4 09:17:41 EDT 2013

Our library has experienced a growing problem associated with access to our "public computers" (we have long had "kiosk" computers locked down to our web catalog, and our faculty and students also have a large bank of lab computers with no time restrictions, a large suite of software applications, and requiring a current NetId for login).  These public computers had several browsers, USB access, and printing capabilities (for a fee).  

Although we were attempting to manage a policy of one-hour use with staff supervision and signage, we'd had an increase of inappropriate behavior, long-term "campers", and loud verbal confrontations between non-affiliate users (resulting in our bringing in our campus police).

Just over 1 month ago, we installed time metering software (http://www.librarica.com/).  Access codes are generated every morning and made available to non-affiliated visitors at our entry/security desk.  We chose to set codes to provide 60 minutes (it can be non-sequential), and expire at midnight, when our hours for the general public end.   Serious visiting scholars can arrange with our reference staff for additional access codes where they are using the library's research resources.  

We also reduced the number of public workstations from 10 to 6.

This has been an instant success in eliminating friction among the non-affiliated user for our public computers.  We have had no verbal outbursts, abusive language towards our staff, and have not had to summon our campus police for a month - a previously unheard of period of tranquility.  Our reference and circulation staff are pleased to be able to once again focus on productive, positive interactions with our users (affiliated and non-affiliated), and we've had good feedback from students (we will issue unlimited access codes to our faculty/students, e.g. when the lab computers are all occupied).
_________________________________
Kerry A. Keck
Asst. University Librarian, Research Services
Fondren Library, Rice University
6100 Main St., Houston, TX  77005
keckker at rice.edu

On Apr 4, 2013, at 7:38 AM, Paul Butler (pbutler3) wrote:

> All our public access computers are first-come, first-serve with a 60 minute time limit. If no one is waiting for a computer we allow an additional 60 minute session. We display a 60 minute countdown timer on the screen which reboots and wipes the machine automatically. The reference librarian signs the user onto the computer. Public access computers are heavily locked down with just IE, USB access, and printing capabilities. University-affiliated patrons have a separate bank of computers they can access themselves with no time restrictions. 
> 
> With this system we no longer have public patrons monopolizing a computer for 5 or 6 hours to play Farmville. They know they can come in and generally access a computer within minutes, where before the time restrictions were implemented we would often need to turn users away. We have received positive comments for students, staff, and public patrons themselves. 
> 
> Cheers, Paul
> +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
> Paul R Butler
> Assistant Systems Librarian
> Simpson Library
> University of Mary Washington
> 1801 College Avenue
> Fredericksburg, VA 22401
> 540.654.1756
> libraries.umw.edu
> 
> Sent from the mighty Dell Vostro 230.
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Web technologies in libraries [mailto:WEB4LIB at LISTSERV.ND.EDU] On Behalf Of Linda Babli
> Sent: Wednesday, April 03, 2013 8:23 PM
> To: WEB4LIB at LISTSERV.ND.EDU
> Subject: [WEB4LIB] Computer Use Time
> 
> What time limits, if any, have you set for you public access computers?
> Any pros, cons?
> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
> Linda Babli, Reference & Technology Librarian Winter Haven Public Library
> 325 Avenue A NW, Winter Haven, FL 33881
> 863-291-5880
> lbabli at mywinterhaven.com<mailto:lbabli at mywinterhaven.com>
> http://whpl.mywinterhaven.com<http://whpl.mywinterhaven.com/>
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