[Publib] "Serious" internet users versus "entertainment"users

[Cynthia Maxey]

Our solution, which is far from perfect in my opinion, is that 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, spreadsheet or Power Point.

 Since part of our mission is to provide support to the schools, we want
to enable students to use the computers to complete homework, and half
an hour is usually not sufficient to type a paper or prepare a
presentation. This also serves resume writers.

 Yes, it does discriminate between uses, and not precisely at that since
Internet searches may be homework as well, but it does provide a
necessary resource for the less well-off students in the community who
don't have computers or software at home.

Cindy
 
Cindy Maxey, MLIS
Librarian, Adult Services
32649 Electric Blvd.
Avon Lake Public LIbrary
Avon Lake, Ohio 44012
 
440.933.8128 ext. 248
440.933.5659 fax
 
http://www.avonlake.lib.oh.us
 

Were we to choose our leaders on the basis of their reading experience
and not their political programs, there would be much less grief on
earth. I believe ... that for someone who has read a lot of Dickens to
shoot his like in the name of an idea is harder than for someone who has
read no Dickens.

          -Joseph Brodsky, poet, Nobel laureate (1940-1996)


-----Original Message-----
From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org
[mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of Joshua Neff
Sent: Wednesday, June 28, 2006 4:30 PM
To: 'Nozick, Sandy'; publib at webjunction.org
Subject: RE: [Publib] "Serious" internet users versus
"entertainment"users

We have that problem at my library, too. We're a small branch, and there
are
only so many public computers we can even fit in our building. During
the
summer (and after school on weeknights during the school year), we have
a
lot of younger patrons who use the computers. And yes, this means that
patrons who may want to use the computers for more serious pursuits
can't
get access.

I suppose you could shorten the length of time a patron gets to use the
computer at one time, but if we did that at our library, the "serious"
patrons would complain, because they generally need to use the computers
for
an hour at least. We can't shorten the length of use for some patrons
and
not others, certainly not based on what they're using the computers for.
The
only solution my library has really been able to come up with is smiling
and
asking patrons to be patient when they want to use the computers.

--Joshua M. Neff
Indian Creek Branch
Olathe Public Library 

-----Original Message-----
From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org
[mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org]
On Behalf Of Nozick, Sandy
Sent: Wednesday, June 28, 2006 1:49 PM
To: publib at webjunction.org
Subject: [Publib] "Serious" internet users versus "entertainment"users

I think we're getting away from the question.  We're not debating so
much
the value of what patrons do but how we can keep computers available so
patrons can even get on.  
We have children here for 4-6 hours a day signing up, using computers,
signing up, using computers.  The wait can be 2-3 hours, which turns
away
patrons who have computer needs but lack the luxury of waiting around
for
hours.  The kids, on the other hand, run and play in the library, the
elevator, the bathrooms.  
What we seek is equitable use of computers, not discerning serious from
entertaining.

Sandy Nozick

Reference Librarian
Beale Memorial Library, Kern County Library
701 Truxtun Avenue
Bakersfield CA  93301
661.868.0787 


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