Thanks to all who responded to my request for information about ease of use and demand for staff support arising from the provision of scanners.
The feedback I've had was mixed:
Overall, those libraries that provide scanners say it is a very popular service.
Predictably, most said that those who used scanners regularly needed little support, but that the nature of the kit meant that many users are likely to be unfamilar with any kind of IT, and therefore in need of detailed support. Rutland Library service report that OCR raises particular problems to the extent that they don't support it at all. Derby City reported that their scanners would not work properly without the user having full admin rights on the computer, which was obviously a major problem. My own experience is that very many of the functions we take for granted on our own computers don't work well in a secure corporate networked environment. Clear instructions for the public, and good training for staff are essential.
Michael Lightowlers
Information Service Librarian
Marylebone Library
Email: [log in to unmask]
Phone: 020 7641 1031
Fax: 020 7641 1028
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