Here in Lancashire we are are currently developing an online booking system
for our 84 static libraries. This will take some time to develop. In the
meantime, in preparation for our main library, the Harris in Preston, going
live on People's Network, I have created a simple booking system in the
form of an Excel workbook. This lists the PC numbers in rows and time
slots in columns. Colour coding is used (via macros) to indicate which PCs
are pre-booked or actually taken. The workbook is shared by all staff
terminals. I should point out that the 39 PCs in the Harris are widely
scattered throughout this large building so that control is very difficult
to exercise. There are also several phone numbers into the Harris and
several staff desks at which customers might choose to book, and obviously
we are concerned about double bookings occurring. So far not bad although
the real test is to come. The main problem is the length of time it takes
for a "save" to be effected on this workbook. Formulas (formulae?) also
calculate number of bookings and hours used per day and work out the
percentage of library opening hours when PCs are in use for stats gathering
purposes. More info to anyone who wants it.
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