[OPLINTECH] Managing public computers for a public library

[Mann, James H.]

Laura
I have a quote taped to my wall which reads:
“For some people the library computer will be the only computer they ever own.”
As much as I have a love/hate relationship with that idea IMHO you have to strive to make the patron’s two-hour experience the best you possibly can. And then have the computer ready for the next patron. Wash, rinse and repeat for 12 hours a day 12 months a year.
So, over the years we have evolved to a computer with very simple security policies and a way (such as Deep Freeze) to restore it to the default settings.
We roll out a really nice computer, keep it updated, and have logical restrictions…think of it as a Wabi-Sabi computer i.e. “the best you can do is the best you can do” and there are just some things that aren’t’ going to happen.

PS: I hate every and all iterations of coupon sites. Since in my experience they support themselves by loading a bunch of crapware.

IMHO


Jim Mann
Technology Coordinator
Greene County Public Library
76 E. Market St
Xenia OH 45385
937.736.7064
Discover. Learn. Grow.<http://www.greenelibrary.info/>
jmann at gcpl.lib.oh.us<mailto:jmann at gcpl.lib.oh.us>
[cid:image001.jpg at 01CF8186.248E4CA0]<http://www.facebook.com/greenelibrary.info>[cid:image002.jpg at 01CF8186.248E4CA0]<http://twitter.com/#!/greenelibrary>[cid:image003.jpg at 01CF8186.248E4CA0]<http://www.youtube.com/greenelibrary>[cid:image004.jpg at 01CF8186.248E4CA0]<http://www.flickr.com/photos/greene-library>

From: oplintech-bounces at lists.oplin.org [mailto:oplintech-bounces at lists.oplin.org] On Behalf Of Laura Solomon
Sent: Friday, June 06, 2014 12:42 PM
To: oplintech at lists.oplin.org
Subject: [OPLINTECH] Managing public computers for a public library

Hello all,

Daniel Nixon's great analogy about public computers and books (see the coupons.com thread from earlier today) got me thinking about how much different managing library networks and public computers is from managing tech for just about any other work setting.  I've spoken to IT people (outside of libraries) who are horrified that we typically let people, off the street, do/go wherever they want, stick flash drives into the USB ports, etc.  But, that's what public libraries do.  It's a very different environment in many ways.

I'd like to write a blog post about some of these kinds of issues.  If you could tell non-tech staff anything about the difficulties of managing public computer access, what would it be?

Thanks in advance for your insights,

Laura

--

Laura Solomon, MCIW, MLS
Library Services Manager, Ohio Public Library Information Network (OPLIN)
(614) 728-5252 (voice) | (614) 728-5256 (fax)
laura at oplin.org<mailto:laura at oplin.org> |http://www.oplin.org/

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