Re: Laptop Computers in the Library (2 messages) Birdie MacLennan 10 Sep 1999 21:07 UTC
2 messages, 89 lines: (1)--------------------------- Date: Fri, 10 Sep 1999 13:41:52 -0500 From: Peter Picerno <ppicerno@CHOCTAW.ASTATE.EDU> Subject: Re: Laptop Computers in the Library We allow our lap-tops to be checked out to faculty, so while our situations seem not to be the same, our accountability factor comes into play in that we require photo ID as well as a signed receipt slip when they're checked out -- the prospect of being billed for a few thousand dollars seems to be enough to insure that they get returned. Peter Picerno Dr. Peter V. Picerno Collection Development Team Leader Dean B. Ellis Library P O Box 2040 - 108 Cooley Drive Arkansas State University State University, AR 72467 (870) 972-3078 (870) 972-3199 FAX ppicerno@choctaw.astate.edu (2)--------------------------- Date: Fri, 10 Sep 1999 13:22:00 -0500 From: Barbara Attebery <battebery@OCHSNER.ORG> Subject: Laptop Computers in the Library -Reply Hi Mark, We are a teaching hospital but not university affiliated but we do have 8 laptops that we allow patrons to check out for use in our library. We do not use security strips because they interfered with our use of the laptops. What we do is when they check out the laptops, they are required to leave their picture I.D. This I.D. is what they use to get in and out of the parking garage, to swipe to get into certain restricted areas, and it is also used as a debit card for eating in the cafeterias, etc. Therefore, it is of value to them and we know who has the card and how to track them down if necessary. Also, they are employees which makes them less likely to "appropriate" the computers. The computers are used somewhat for literature searching on the Internet but mostly for word processing, Power Point, and Excel programs. As far as assessing patron satisfaction, we are starting a new "Point of Service" survey regarding all library services but this is not implemented as of yet. Barbara Barbara Attebery, MLIS, AHIP Librarian-Collection Development Alton Ochsner Medical Library 1516 Jefferson Highway New Orleans, LA 70121 battebery@ochsner.org Ph. (504) 842-3760 Fax (504) 842-5339 --------- Original message ------------ >>> Mark McCallon <mark.mccallon@ALC.ORG> 09/10/99 11:49am >>> Our medium-sized university library has been offered six laptops for use by students in the library. We have ethernet connections in some of our study carrels and will allow students to check them out for use inside the library, and not to leave the building. It is our hope that this will alleviate the overcrowding in our general computer lab. Do any other university libraries have this type of program? If so, I am interested in suggestions to the following questions: 1. How do you secure the laptops to keep them from leaving the building? Tattle strips? Other security devices? 2. Do you have any assessment measures for monitoring the satisfaction of users with the service? If so, would you be willing to share these? 3. What are your students using the laptops for most? Word Processing? Library Applications? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks Mark McCallon Periodicals Librarian Abilene Christian University 221 Brown Library ACU Box 29208 Abilene, Texas 79699-9208 e-mail: mark.mccallon@alc.org