Ouch! Although BPL was not named, at least one of our policies was 'jeered' by Michael Casey and Michael Stephens in their Transparent Library column. We reserve some PCs for OPAC and database use. What do you think, thumbs up or down on this practice?
Library journal 4/15/2009, p. 20.
http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6650292.html?industryid=47356
3 comments:
Maybe the authors were referring to libraries that restrict all computers within their building to “library research only.” Some do this.
I think Casey and Stephens would more likely heckle BPL’s policy to block, “chat… and other Internet services and products that do not support the library's mission.”
Thanks for posting this David. I think overall BPL looks pretty good when comparing us to the cheers and jeers of the library world as a whole.
I don't think any computers should be reserved for research only. Can't patrons use the public catalogs to access databases along with any available PCs in the building?
There's no reason for a PC to sit there not being used and make a patron walk from floor to floor just because he needs to use the Internet or type a resume.
The policy is confusing and I've heard more than one patron complain about it.
Just my two pennies.
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