[Publib] Thoughts on a Music Lab

[Allen D. Tate]

We handle this by not putting speakers on any of our public computers. 
If a patron wants to hear the sound, they must either bring their own 
headphones or can purchase a set of iPod type headphones at the 
circulation desk. Our public computers have a headphone slot on the 
front. If yours do not, you can go to your local electronics store and 
buy the cable necessary to make the jack available from behind. Just 
make sure you secure said cable so it's less likely to "get lost" after 
use. Hope this helps.

Logan Abbitt wrote:
> Recently a patron came in asking where the music lab was. We don't have 
> one nor have I ever heard of a public library that had one. He reacted 
> as if it was usually a given service. By his definition a music lab is 
> a an area set off from the rest of the computers, perhaps from the rest 
> of the library, containing computers specifically equipped for sound. 
> Now, all of our computers are equipped for sound, and quite frankly it 
> has been a disaster. So that got me to thinking...
>  
>  I think it might be worth investigating the option here. We could 
> separate about eight of our computers into another alcove area while 
> shutting off the sound in our other computers. This would create a work 
> zone of considerably less noise while those downloading illegal music 
> and blasting youtube videos could be in a more secluded area with others 
> intent on being loud.
>  
> How many of you have music labs or a similar setup? Is it worth it?
-- 
Allen D. Tate
Head of Computer Services
Ohio Township Public Library System
4111 Lakeshore Dr
PO Box 850
Newburgh, IN 47629
(812) 853-5468 x 313

http://www.ohio.lib.in.us/ (Library Home Page)
http://www.opensourceinlibraries.com/ (Open Source In Libraries)

The views expressed in this message are not necessarily
those of the Ohio Township Public Library System.