[Publib] "surf cards"

[Carol Coffey]

Sean, I think the most obvious solution would be to start requiring
identification for your "surf cards."  We have a similar system in place
here called "Internet Only" cards.  While we don't require proof of a
permanent address to get one of these cards, we do require an ID.
Patrons who have these cards can use the internet and databases but
can't check out library materials.  Requiring an ID won't eliminate
completely the problem of multiple cards, but I suspect it will cut down
on the problem considerably.  Most people have some form of ID.

 

Hope this helps.

 

Carol

 

Carol Coffey 
Library Services Development/Reference 
Central Arkansas Library System 
100 Rock St. 
Little Rock, AR 72201 
ph 501-918-3010 
fax 501-376-1830 
ccoffey at cals.org <mailto:ccoffey at cals.org>  
www.cals.org <http://www.cals.org>  

________________________________

From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org
[mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of Aragon, Sean
Sent: Monday, May 19, 2008 7:55 PM
To: 'publib at webjunction.org'
Subject: [Publib] "surf cards"

 

I'm in charge of access to most of the public computers in our central
library.  Our library gives free "surf cards" to patrons who don't check
out materials, but who want to use our electronic services e.g.
Internet, subscription databases, etc.  You don't have to provide any
identification to receive this card.  The rationale for providing this
card was to allow the public who don't have identification a way to use
some of our electronic services - you need a library card and p.i.n.
number to use our software managed (CybraryN) computers.  We have a
policy that allows every card holder 2 hours of computer use per day.
Recently, I've noticed that more and more patrons have more than one
library card number, so they are getting 4 or more hours of Internet
access per day.  Since our computers are heavily used, this has become a
problem.  One patron may have to wait 2 hours or more to get on a
computer, while another patron might be on a computer most of our open
hours.  Anyone have any similar experience and/or advice?

 

Sean Aragon

Branch Periodical Coordinator

Fresno County Public Library 

Fresno, CA 93657

saragon at fresnolibrary.org

 

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