[12153] in Public-Access_Computer_Systems_Forum
Word Processing in Libraries
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Public-Access Computer Systems For)
Wed Apr 15 20:41:02 1998
Date: Wed, 15 Apr 1998 16:49:32 -0500
From: Public-Access Computer Systems Forum <LIBPACS@UHUPVM1.UH.EDU>
To: PACS-L@LISTSERV.UH.EDU
Reply-To: Public-Access Computer Systems Forum <PACS-L@LISTSERV.UH.EDU>
3 Messages, 131 Lines
*-----
From: Leslie Everett <leverett@massart.edu>
Subject: Re: Word Processing in libraries
On Tue, 14 Apr 1998 18:21:49 -0500 davies@la.unm.edu (Dennis
Davies-Wilson) wrote:
>1. If your library provides word processing capability on public
>computing stations, is the software on computers dedicated for word
>processing only, or is it on computers that offer other applications
>and online resources as well?
>
Hi Dennis,
I manage a small computer lab in an academic library in a New England
college of Art. We provide public access to approximately 20 public
Macintosh computing stations. We provide on-line access to e-mail (for
users with school accounts) although there is now "HotMail" access via
the Web; as well as Web access and word processing.
>2. Is there a policy regarding priority usage (e.g. research vs. word
>processing)?
Our policy give priority to word processing during mid terms in the
library. There are two other computer labs used mostly for graphics and
multi-media that also allow access to the Internet. People are advised
to arrange their schedules to use these machines.
>
>2. Is there a signup sheet to reserve time slots for word processing?
We haven't officially instituted this practice with moderate results.
This policy is enforced primarily by students policing each other in the
graphics and multi-media labs.
>3. Is there a time limit imposed for using a computer for word
>processing purposes?
We haven't needed to impose a time limit yet, people seem to regulate
themselves often leaving and returning later when it's quieter in the
library and more machines are available.
>4. Is there a limit to the amount of paper used for printing word
>processing documents? and/or is there a fee assessed for paper usage?
Due to the tremendous paper waste: people starting jobs, then either
leaving or changing their minds and letting jobs print and be discarded;
we've discontinued supplying paper to patrons. Now people have to get
their own paper. This has cut down on waste considerably. We don't sell
paper in the library (there are legal issues for us as a state college),
we have a local supply store where patrons can buy reams for under
$5.00.
We are talking to vendors and eventually we will set-up a card system
where people will log-on with passwords and buy credits per semester, or
whatever arrangement they choose for buying prints. There will be a
central server that will monitor requests to print, notifying patrons of
print cost and keeping track of how many credits they have remaining on
their cards. We hope to implement this system as soon as we can get the
cost down to $.10/copy.
I hope this information is helpful, good luck,
Leslie O. Everett
Library Public Network Support Assistant
Computer Center/Morton R. Godine Library
621 Huntington Avenue Voice: 617-232-1555 x397
Boston, Massachusetts 02115 Net: leverett@massart.edu
*-----
From: Intihar <intiharm@sls.lib.il.us>
Subject: Re: Word Processing in libraries
We are a small community college near Chicago and we do have a public
access PC lab within the Learning Resources Center (Library/LRC). Our
lab was just open to the public patrons last fall with word processing
and Internet access. Our LRC computer lab has 20 soon to be extended to
30 PC which are connected to our student academic network. All computer
programs that are run on the campus and are part of instruction can be
acessed through the student academic network.
This spring semester the college instituted that any community patron
that is not registered for a class at the college and would like access
to any open computer lab and the use of the LRC PC lab needs to register
for a course call CPS 045 Computer Access and the cost is $25 per
semester. This entitled the person to use the computers in the LRC PC
Lab and any open computer lab on campus for the semester. This person
will have his own password to access the student academic network and
any computer programs that are on the student academic network. Each
semester the passwords are purged and anyone registering for classes
including CPS 045 will have their login password (This is a combination
of the first four letters of their last name and the last four digits of
their SSN; their password is then their full SSN with out the spaces)
loaded onto the main frame for access to any open computer lab including
the library.
This semester we have not had any of the problems we had last fall with
our public access PC lab in the library. Even many patrons from outside
our district have registered for CIS 045 just to have access to the
public PC lab in the library and current computer software.
I hope this helps. If you have another further questions, please feel
free to contact me.
Mary Intihar
Coordinator of Technical Services
Morton College
Cicero, IL.
intiharm@morton.cc.il.us
*-----
From: Claudia Scott <cscott@westmont.edu>
Subject: Re: Word Processing in libraries
At 06:21 PM 4/14/98 -0500, you wrote:
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
[snip]
>1. If your library provides word processing capability on public
>computing stations, is the software on computers dedicated for word
>processing only, or is it on computers that offer other applications and
>online resources as well?
We do not provide word processing capability on public computing
stations. It would tie them up too much. The students have to use the
lab for this. This works fine for us. But our lab is available most of
the time.
-claudia Scott
Westmont College Library
