Thanks very much to everyone who replied to my question about external
users in F.E. college libraries. There is a very mixed approach!
Here are the results of the lis-link jury:
12 people replied. I have split the answers into 3 sections (as I have for
my report to management).
Reference
All libraries allowed access for reference purposes, provided the user signs
in at reception. However, some pointed out that they would not necessarily
be able to tell as they do not control access.
Borrowing
Not everyone allows borrowing. Of those who do, some charge and some
don't. The prices ranged from £5 to £115.
Almost everyone resticts borrowing to less items than their own
students.
Computers
Again, mixed, but more people do not allow use of computers. One person made
a good point that if you are allowing access for reference purposes, should
you
allow access to reference material available on the Internet or a CD? (I
would
have thought that this is particularly relevent if you have cut back on a
lot
of your printed material). There is a range of types of charges, from no
charge at all,
paying by the hour, paying for print credits only etc etc. Some colleges
only
allowed computer use in vacations or evenings.
Other points:-
Most of our enquiries are from ex-students, so that is why I asked about
that,
but only one college had different rules for ex-students, and that was only
if they had paid to join the alumni association.
Nobody seems to really advertise the facility except have a supply of
leaflets
which people can take if they want.
I still have all the replies so if anyone wants more detailed info about
prices
charged etc, get in touch with me directly.
Liz Wyman,
Learning Resources Co-ordinator,
Leek College,
Leek,
Staffordshire
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