[12736] in Public-Access_Computer_Systems_Forum
Re: Word and various public access programs
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Gary Kilburn)
Tue Feb 16 20:04:24 1999
Date: Tue, 16 Feb 1999 17:38:14 -0600
From: Gary Kilburn <gkilburn@elsie.lakeco.lib.in.us>
To: PACS-L@LISTSERV.UH.EDU
Reply-To: Public-Access Computer Systems Forum <PACS-L@LISTSERV.UH.EDU>
----------------------------Original message----------------------------
We found ourselves in the same situation. As a result, our library offers
only MS-Works and Internet Explorer on our public stations. Pie in the sky
public service ideals are nice, but the bottom line as always is fiscal
responsibility and what are we really here for. Libraries cannot be all
things to all people, therefore clear limits and choices must be made on the
level of service offered. Libraries are very much a reflection of their
local community, and therefore each library will see this issue quite
differently. By offering works we can satisfy our mission to help people get
a job by creating a resume, help a high school student with a research
paper, but we are not a substitute for an academic or commercial computing
lab (i.e., Kinko's). Our goal is to provide a minimum level of technology
for those who have no other option, but more advanced projects need to done
elsewhere. For us, this has been a successful implementation of technology.
Works may not be as advanced as Word, but it suits what most people actually
need, and does not confuse people who have little or no computing skills
with a lot of unnecessary options. By offering only one browser (the one
that comes with the computer), we also save a lot of confusion for both
patrons and staff. It may not be someone's browser of choice, but the
information can be accessed, and that is kinda the whole idea. :) I think
sometimes we get so wrapped up in the technology we forget why we are here
to begin with. My $0.02 worth.
--Gary
-----Original Message-----
From: Joyce Latham <jlatham@interaccess.com>
To: PACS-L@LISTSERV.UH.EDU <PACS-L@LISTSERV.UH.EDU>
Date: Monday, February 15, 1999 6:57 PM
Subject: Re: Word and various public access programs
----------------------------Original message----------------------------
The Chicago Public Library is currently eliminating personal software
workstations in all but our computer centers. We found the expectations of
the public extreme, and answers about writing resumes, novels and letters to
judges in legal cases beyond the pale of our expertise, as well as
excessively time consuming. While we very much favor the ideal of a
complete workstation -- WP, Internet, resource access -- we have found it to
be a mjor distraction from the actual work of librarianship.
I would be very interested in hearing other folks comments on same.
Joyce Latham
Director of Library Automation
CPL
