Our session length on our People's Network terminals is one hour, and we have enforced a five minute delay between the end of one session and the start of the next, but this was largely to prevent an immediate re-logging in to allow others waiting to get onto the terminals to do so. This break is not enforced on our visitor tickets, which has led to users asking for those in preference. As a consequence we are investigating an internet-only type card, with a much lower proof of ID requirement (to pick up on another popular topic of discussion over the last few days).
We do advise regular breaks every 30 minutes but beyond that, again, it is down to individuals taking responsibility. However, because we are unable to offer permanent file storage at the moment, our users do find it inconvenient to have to remember to save all their work shortly before the end of a session and we are increasingly being asked for longer session times, so this is not an issue that is going to go away. Does anyone know how academic libraries and IT centres have approached this matter?
Paul Harrison
Electronic Services Manager, Norfolk Library and Information Services,
Room LG 046, County Hall, Martineau Lane, Norwich NR1 2DH
Tel: 01603 222580 http://www.norfolk.gov.uk
-----Original Message-----
From: lis-pub-libs: UK Public Libraries
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Hughes, Mark
Sent: 12 October 2004 15:52
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Extended pc use - possible health issues?
Afternoon all,
Has any library out there got a policy on the amount of time users spend
using their public access pc's without a break?
We book ours out for maximum 2 hour sessions, but some of our libraries are
finding users simply book on to any other vacant machines at the end of each
one. This can lead to users being in front of a computer, virtually from
when the library opens till it closes - up to 7 hours plus. We do advise
people to take a break each hour, but not all take notice of this. Some
will go through an entire period of many hours without a break for food /
drink or 'convenience stop'.
While it is lovely that the computing facilities as so popular, and we are
trying to encourage more people to use our services, concerns have been
raised about the Health & Safety issues of people sitting in front of
screens for that length of time with no breaks - in particular our younger
users.
I don't think there is a legal imperative for us to force users to take a
break after a set period (we advise it, but individuals have a personal
responsibility for their actions after that), but does anyone implement a
policy of, say, enforcing a half hour - an hour gap in bookings before any
more use is permitted after, for example, 3 hours in front of a computer?
At least possible over-use of our facilities is quite a nice 'problem' to
have ;-)
Regards
Mark Hughes
Librarian, Information Development
City and County of Swansea
Library and Information Service HQ
County Hall, Oystermouth Road
Swansea SA1 3SN
Tel : 01792 636329 Fax : 01792 636235
Web : www.swansea.gov.uk/libraries <http://www.swansea.gov.uk/libraries>
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