[Publib] Re: Express Computers

[Andy Barnett]

We used to have 2 of 24 Internet stations set up as express (15 minutes, no 
re-log in), but ended up dropping them since they got significantly less 
use that our other stations. People wanted / needed more than 15 minutes, 
since even reading and responding to email takes more than that. Our 
experience was that people avoided them and would wait for a longer booking 
rather than waste their time where they would be cut off. Mileage will vary.

We tried stand up stations, but people just grabbed chairs from elsewhere 
and sat there typing above their shoulders, so now all Adult room Internet 
stations are sit down. 
http://www.mcmillanlibrary.org/library/images/2005_1130AI.JPG We do have 
some catalog stations that are stand up, since they are useful for staff 
showing people how things work. Commons area Internet stations are sit 
down, but at counter height, so that groups can use them easily. 
(http://www.mcmillanlibrary.org/library/images/2006_0720AB.jpg

Any setup that requires staff intervention to enforce would be something to 
avoid. If your software can't enforce the ruleset, change the ruleset or 
the software.

People also preferred our cubical style PCs to those on a more open plan, 
though some of that was related to our zoning. PCs in the Adult room are in 
a peace and quiet zone (used more heavily and longer by individuals), while 
those in the Commons are under a relaxed ruleset (use tends to be for 
shorter time periods and by groups).