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Okay, I'm going off on a rant... <<<"Personally I would like to see all users registering in one form or another here. This is driven by the need to gather accurate stats for our PI's and such like">>> What are we here for, to serve people or gather statistics? Talk about being process driven. <<<"Nevertheless, is it too much to ask someone to join, to give just a minimum amount of information, in order to be counted ? Particularly as counting is a statutory requirement ?">>> Yes, in many cases it is too much. What about asylum seekers? What about foreign visitors? What about holidaymakers? What about people out of town on business? Whenever I'm away from base I look for an internet cafe or easy everything to log on and check my email. I don't go to a library, because I expect to come across barriers such as this. Until we resolve this, until we lighten up, anally retentive librarians who insist on putting barriers in the way of people using their services are presiding over the slow death of public libraries. People will vote with their feet... And finally I'd like to point out that my Celtic bad humour is nothing to do with England leading against Brazil... >>> "Simpson, Scott" <[log in to unmask]> 20/06/02 16:16:26 >>> Dear all, Thanks for all your responses, I've included them in the attached word document for you to draw your own conclusions. As far as I can see - * Most authorities have a booking system of sorts, whether it is through their LMS or a 3rd party system like Pharos. And most authorities use library barcodes as logins. * Of the 14 replies, 5 authorities insist that users join the library in one form or another. 2 other authorities would like to require people to join.I think everyone at least encourages people to join anyway. * Personally I would like to see all users registering in one form or another here. This is driven by the need to gather accurate stats for our PI's and such like. However I do see the argument that you don't need to join to read the newspaper, etc (well not here anyway!) and also to be honest I hadn't considered the notion of visits by tourists. East Renfrewshire is not exactly a hotbed of tourism ! Nevertheless, is it too much to ask someone to join, to give just a minimum amount of information, in order to be counted ? Particularly as counting is a statutory requirement ? There were quite a few Out of Office replies to my original email, maybe when they return they'd like to contribute to the debate ? <<Email responses to public access query>> > ---------- > From: Simpson, Scott > Sent: 19 June 2002 08:50 > To: [log in to unmask] > Subject: access to PCs > > Dear all, > I'm not sure if this question has been posed before but I'm interested in > the way you allow the public access to your PCs. > > Here, we dont insist on users actually being members of the library to use > the computers although we do encourage them to join. We have a booking > system and the users library barcode numbers are their logins. For > non-members we have guest accounts to log them on. Obviously then, we dont > have a completely accurate record of the number of people using the > machines as more than one person can use the same "guest" account. > > Do other libraries do similar or do you insist that people join in order > to use the PCs ? I'd be grateful for any responses and of course will > summarise the results for you. > Scott Simpson > Systems Librarian > Cultural Services > Glen Street, Barrhead G78 1QA > Tel: 0141 577 3509 > Fax: 0141 577 3501 > www.eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk > > ********************************************************************** This e-mail and any files transmitted with it are not necessarily the view of East Renfrewshire Council. It is intended only for the person or entity named above. If you have received this e-mail in error please notify the author by replying to this e-mail and then erasing the e-mail from your system. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any use, review, dissemination, distribution or copying of the e-mail is strictly prohibited. East Renfrewshire Council may monitor outgoing and incoming e-mails. 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