WebJunction - Managing Public Access Computers

Here are some some favorite tools and tips for managing patron time on pubic access computers:

Here at the Grand County Public Library in Moab, Utah (population 5,000) we received an LSTA grant to pilot a system for managing user sessions on public access computers. Our goal was to find a session management solution for little or no cost that could be replicated at other small libraries in Utah. Our initial intent was to research open source software such as that designed by the IT team at Grand Rapids Public Library. However, the cumbersome system, which involved a proxy server and getting acquainted with LINUX, proved too difficult to implement.

Instead, our library's assistant director, Carrie Valdes, and our IT consultant, Mike Baird, researched commercial "internet cafe" solutions. We settled on Cafezee, a session management product that involved a cash outlay of $59 and some experimentation. We are now able to easily manage our "tourist terminals," children's and young adult computers, adult email, research, and media computers. In all, we manage 30 public access computers with very little stress. We hand out login passwords to patrons at our service desks, and if no one is waiting, users can obtain passwords for additional sessions. www.cafezee.com

We also procured a restaurant paging system for when users need to queue for an open machine. The system consists of "coasters" that blink and buzz when "the table is ready." With this convenient tool, public service desk staff pass out pagers and the patron is free to browse the collection or read the newspaper. When a computer workstation becomes available, the staff merely pages the next patron in line. www.resttech.com

Eve Tallman, Director
Grand County Public Library
Moab, Utah

We implemented a self-management system to help with sign-ups and to time patron use (to ensure further fairness), so that patrons will be rotated and given adequate time. Always, policy must be tailored to meet our community's needs, so these are not set in stone but are firmly grounding for all.

Cathay Crosby
Electronic Services Librarian
Cecil County Public Library
Elkton, Maryland

As far as management software goes, we have been using Time Limit Manager from Fortres for the past 2 months. One of my biggest pet hates from when I started was having to keep a track on up to 11 patrons time limit from the old sign in sheets. Now, the computers have a timer that count down the sessions! I am able to set different rules for different groups of computers (our loaner laptops have a 2 hour limit as opposed to the regular 1 hour on the main computers), I can get a computerized usage report, see what stations are available, all from the main server. Having a server for this has also allowed me to venture into running some applications across the network as opposed to locally loading software to each machine. I plan on using that server to host computer tutorial material, made using Camtasia software. I did not like the 'PC Reservation' software that other people use, because we do not require internet patrons to have a library card, & as quite a few of our 'surfers' are from out of town, it would have meant lots of guest accounts. I feel that what we have in place has made our lives easier - & I am all for that!

Terry Caudle
Hopkins County - Madisonville Public Library (KY)

One thing that I use that has worked quite well in managing time on our public computers in the children's room is to have a simple rotary timer at each station that the child sets when they sign-in. When it goes off-time is up (unless no one is waiting). I don't have to watch the clock every minute and they of course get too mesmerized to watch. It's sort of a "no-fault" approach.

Kathy Tracy

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