[OPLINTECH] PC Cop Software

Wed Apr 6 15:40:47 EDT 2005

Actually, the system we're going with will address the issue of paying
for printing in a unique way that doesn't involve staff very much.  Yes,
they will have to change paper periodically, but they have to do that
now.  In addition, we have customers who come in and regularly print off
200-300-page documents - totally free.  This isn't going to stop them,
but unless they've got the cash in their library account to begin with,
they won't be able to run through a couple reams of paper at a time.
There's tons of frivolous printing that goes on at this library and it's
bound to be reduced drastically with the use of this software - provided
the software works, which is always an issue with these systems.

I'm not actually in favor of systems like this, but neither am I against
them.  The facts are that if staff has more time to answer reference
questions then the public is being better served.  If the customers who
have legitimate reasons to be printing are able to get their prints and
not wait for a gigantic document to print or wait for 20 printouts of a
Pokemon picture to print then the public is being better served.  This
is, of course, all contingent of the software doing what it's supposed
to.  If not, then, yes, it will have been a waste of tax-payers'
dollars.  We'll have to wait and see.

Matt Hoffman
Network Administrator
Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library
216-932-3600 x 77284  (fax) 216-932-0932
www.heightslibrary.org <http://www.heightslibrary.org/> 

-----Original Message-----
From: oplintech-admin at oplin.org [mailto:oplintech-admin at oplin.org] On
Behalf Of JKENZIG
Sent: Wednesday, April 06, 2005 3:27 PM
To: 'OPLINTECH'
Subject: RE: [OPLINTECH] PC Cop Software

	Agreed,
	Space is always a concern if you don't have it.   As far as
staffing though you still have to have staff help with logging the
patrons back on and collecting for print jobs, and refilling printers
etc.  I don't see a benefit there. You are just changing the tasks.

	If you really must go this route, here is an interesting
solution I've found  http://www.spragers.com/PCC/temp.html that may be
less expensive. 
	There is also the Public Web Browser from team software that has
time controls in it.  http://www.teamsoftwaresolutions.com/

	Jim Kenzig
	Network Manager
	Cuyahoga County Public Library

  _____  

	From: Matt Hoffman [mailto:.org] 
	Sent: Wednesday, April 06, 2005 3:18 PM
	To: JKENZIG
	Subject: RE: [OPLINTECH] PC Cop Software

	Well, more PC's are not always a possibility.  You have problems
of space requirements and of staff involvement.  I think that the
primary reasoning for the use of these systems is to get the management
of PC availability out of the hands of the floor staff and into a
scenario where PC availability can more closely follow library policy.
Staff generally feel that having to deal with customers who won't get
off of PC's when others have been waiting is a huge annoyance and a
waste of their time where they could be assisting customers with
reference questions.  We're looking at one of these systems right now,
and from the management's standpoint, being able to recoup some costs
from printing and lessening staff involvement are of great importance.
It's a benefit that more customers will be able to use the PC's during
the day.  

	Our policies are going to be very lenient so that even if a
customer has been on a PC for a lengthy period of time, unless another
customer is waiting to use a PC, they will be able to continue using the
PC's.  There will be no daily limits, but it may be possible that the
customer might have to switch to another machine if another customer has
signed up to the use the current PC.  The fact is that you can make it
fair, as long as you do it the right way.

	Matt Hoffman
	Network Administrator
	Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library
	216-932-3600 x 77284  (fax) 216-932-0932
	www.heightslibrary.org <http://www.heightslibrary.org/> 

		-----Original Message-----
		From: oplintech-admin at oplin.org
[mailto:oplintech-admin at oplin.org] On Behalf Of JKENZIG
		Sent: Wednesday, April 06, 2005 2:57 PM
		To: 'OPLINTECH'
		Subject: RE: [OPLINTECH] PC Cop Software

		Not really a direct answer to the question and people on
the list have heard this before from me but here goes again...Why are
you going out of your way to limit what your patrons can do?  Wouldn't
your money be better spent on buying more workstations so you have more
points of access and wouldn't have to limit the time and also put some
of that aside to buy extra paper?  I know these systems are VERY
expensive and require yearly maintence fees.   I just don't believe that
they are the way to go to resolve issues with patrons waiting. Is it
really the best way to spend the taxpayers dollars to benefit them?

		Jim Kenzig
		Network Manager
		Cuyahoga County Public Library

  _____  

		From: Mike Hensel [mailto:] 
		Sent: Wednesday, April 06, 2005 2:41 PM
		To: OPLINTECH
		Subject: [OPLINTECH] PC Cop Software

		OPLINTECH:

		First, thanks for the information on Tech Connections 6.

		Second, I recently had a sales representative from CMS
visit the library to do a demonstration on PC Cop, a time software and
print management system. I was quite impressed with the product. I have
also investigated PC Reservation so I know all about that product.

		My question is - has anyone heard any information, good
or bad, on PC Cop. I would like to get a better idea of local use in
Ohio.  It is my understanding that CMS has a big portion of the market
out West and is currently trying to expand to the East where PC
Reservation has dominated. 

		Any information would be appreciated.

		Thanks, 

		Mike Hensel
		Communications & Marketing Manager
		London Public Library
		20 E. First Street
		London, OH 43140
		(740) 852-9543 Voice
		(740) 852-3691 Fax
		www.london.lib.oh.us <http://www.london.lib.oh.us/> 
		henselmi at oplin.org

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.oplin.org/pipermail/oplintech/attachments/20050406/e734e9e1/attachment.htm>