Andy,
I appreciate your description of public computer usage. I like the idea of spreading the workstations throughout different areas of the library, but I am wondering: how do you control crowds, noise, traffic? Our workstations can generate a lot of disruption, especially when the schools let out and everyone wants to peer over friends' (and other people's) shoulders, come by to socialize, hang out, etc. We have trouble regulating this activity. Do you have policies about how many people can be at a workstation at a time? Do you employ some sort of privacy screens/monitors? Do you designate some workstations for specific purposes, or all they all identical?
Thank you,
Julie Rinaldi (916) 355-7374
Librarian
Folsom Public Library
300 Persifer Street
Folsom, California 95630
"Care more than others think wise. Risk more than others think safe. Dream more than others think practical. Expect more than others think possible." Howard Schultz, Pour Your Heart Into It.
________________________________
From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org on behalf of Andy Barnett
Sent: Wed 11/29/2006 10:45 AM
To: publib at webjunction.org
Subject: [Publib] Re: Decline in use of Computer Centers
We have 24 Internet stations, not all in one computing center, but
throughout our three main areas. One of those areas is our Commons, where
coffee, food and group activities are encouraged.
Use is up in 2006. We had 73,000 sign ins in 2005 and are headed for over
80,000 in 2006. After school, every station is in use. Many mornings we
have over 50% in use. That doesn't count the wireless users - four of them
this morning.
I don't think we are seeing less use, but a change in use. As more people
have accounts at home, our use is from other sources. Kids after school.
Kids playing games in groups in the Commons. People who need help finding
things and so come to the library to use our Internet and expertise. People
needing a scanner (we have two). People whose computers/printer/internet is
not working. Visitors to the community. People who simply don't have a
computer. People applying for jobs or preparing resumes. People using the
in-house databases. People who can get more done at the library than at home.
Andy Barnett, Asst. Director www.mcmillanlibrary.org
McMillan Memorial Library
490 East Grand Ave. 715-422-5144 (phone)
Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54494 715-423-2665 (fax)
Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.
- Martin Luther King, Jr., 1929 - 1968
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