[12158] in Public-Access_Computer_Systems_Forum
Re: Word Processing in libra
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Cal Frye)
Sat Apr 18 00:03:28 1998
Date: Fri, 17 Apr 1998 19:28:56 -0500
From: Cal Frye <cal_frye@wra.k12.oh.us>
To: PACS-L@LISTSERV.UH.EDU
Reply-To: Public-Access Computer Systems Forum <PACS-L@LISTSERV.UH.EDU>
----------------------------Original message----------------------------
RE>Word Processing in libraries 4/17/98
We are a private secondary school of 400 students in grades 9-12, with about
two-thirds of our students boarding and the remainder living nearby. Until
recently, we have had a computer lab elsewhere on campus, which is availoable
for general use when classes aren't scheduled in there. The library's computer
stations were the only available alternative. In addition, the library hours
were often more generous than the computer lab's. In this light, here are our
thoughts, in order...
"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?"
All our PCs offer the catalog, online (CD tower) references, and Microsoft
Office. Several stations also have CD drives for additional reference works,
and one has a scanner and software. Our Macs are on a separate network, and
offer Internet access, and word processing, academic software, and students'
network accounts, including email.
"2. Is there a policy regarding priority usage (e.g. research vs. word
processing)?"
We only restrict email and "frivolous" web browsing during study hours in the
evenings. Other situations are met with on an ad-hoc basis, along the same
general lines.
"2.[sic] Is there a signup sheet to reserve time slots for word processing?"
Nope. First come, first served.
"3. Is there a time limit imposed for using a computer for word
processing purposes?"
Nope. Word processing is an academic activity. Class schedules usually limit
individuals' use adequately.
"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?"
No. We charge all students at the beginning of the year for copier and printer
paper use in the library (a flat fee). So far it seems to work. Usually, some
few students complain that they won't be using the library (!), but we
convince them otherwise.
We havn't seen all the machines tied up with word processing and none
available for references or OPAC use, yet.
We are expanding; both the computer lab and into a new library building. The
computer lab will include a classroom as well as public-access stations (15 in
the classroom, 11 Macs and 11 PCs p/a). The new library will have 30 or so
computers, some mix of Macs and PCs, and we hope to merge the two networks and
make the OPAC available on all platforms by then. If we restrict any computers
for OPAC use only, it will be the older models which can't meet Bill Gates'
latest and greatest software demands ;-)
Both our boarding and our day students spend long hours here, and we tolerate
some activities on the library and lab computers which others might deny
(networked games of Doom, for example!). We limit these activities to
non-academic times, but these kids need a break sometimes, and we haven't seen
our resources stretched too thinly, yet.
Sorry for the length. Hope this helps.
--Cal Frye, Technical Director, Library
Western Reserve Academy, Hudson, Ohio
