[Publib] Internet use -- accomodating researchers AND gamers

[Anne Killheffer]

I received a lot of mail on the topic of making internet computers available to
everyone when the computers tend to be dominated by people playing games
and socializing online. Some of these comments were already posted to Publib, but
some were not, and I thought a summary of the practical suggestions would be interesting. 

Thanks to Sandy Nozick, who restated my original question much more clearly
by saying  "We have children here for 4-6 hours a day using the computers... 
The wait can be 2-3 hours for adult patrons who lack the luxury of waiting around for
hours. What we seek is equitable use of computers, not discerning serious from
entertaining."

Here are the practical suggestions:

---You can combine Wifi/wireless access with checkout availability of laptops set for your wireless connection. All your seats, all your tables, etc. can become Internet access stations.
Use the barcodes of your ILS to tag the machines, and circulate them with
set policies and return limits. 

---We allow at least half an hour for use of the Internet but at least two hours for
use of a "program" such as word processing. Part of our mission is to provide support 
to the schools, we want to enable students to use the computers to complete homework.

---The "x hours per day, for everyone, no matter what they're doing" solution has worked well. 
It's an equitable way to distribute a high-demand resource. (Several people suggested this.)

---We have several computers that allow access to library databases such as Ancestry.com
and our magazine database, and others dedicated to Office programs. No time limits on those. (Several people suggested this.)

---Offer express Internet terminals for 15 minute usage.  (Several people suggested this.)

---Some patrons may not be aware that they can also access free wireless at a cafe in town. 
Local Kinkos/Staples/Office Max usually have for-fee stations.

---We have Envisionware on our stations and if a customer comes to the
reference desk and tells us they are taking a test, writing a resume, or
entering a job application, we can extend their time on the computer.

---Everyone in our library gets one hour a day to do with as they please (well almost anything).  
We tried giving "researchers" more and they just kept burning us.  
Unless playing bejewled is research these days.

---Whether you want it or not, there is a rationing system in effect for 
Internet PCs. You can set one up that you control or you can let the 
patrons with the most spare time run it for you. We limit to 75 minutes a day, 
with more time available for most purposes if patrons ask. We always give more 
time for taxes and resumes, since those purposes are in keeping with the mission 
of the library. We usually give time for any purpose when the PCs are not especially busy. 
If providing game machines for tweens is part of the mission of the library, 
it is a less central mission than job searches and helping people work with 
other government agencies. Plus it eats up our bandwidth like crazy.

---The only partial solution we came up with was to reserve half of the computers for those 
over the age of 16. (We did this from 3-6pm when we were hit by junior high kids). 
We just put a little notice on the upper left portion of the screen. 
"You must be over 16 to use this pc between 3pm and 6pm."

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