Laptop Checkout Program/Computer Learning Grant E. G. Fisher Public Library Athens, TN

Transcription

1 Laptop Checkout Program/Computer Learning Grant E. G. Fisher Public Library Athens, TN Julie Forkner IS 585 Dr. Peiling Wang December 3, 2010

2 Informative Abstract: The laptops provided by the Computer Learning Center grant, when not in use for class purpose, can best provide public access by treating them as part of E. G. Fisher s already established public computer program. By giving these laptop computers permanent tables within sight of the reference desk, the laptops can be available for public use without having to create a separate laptop checkout system, can be relatively secure without expensive security measures, and can be incorporated into the existing check-in system as well as the current computer maintenance routine, eliminating the need for extra staff training. Keeping the laptops stationary also reduces the risk of damage from being dropped or other rough treatment and eliminates the need to find storage space behind the circulation desk. Keeping the laptops situated where they remain plugged in also eliminates the need for expensive mobile storage recharging carts. By retrofitting tables already owned by the library, these laptops can be made available to the public for minimal cost. The laptops hard drives will need to be partitioned in the same manner the public desktop computers are partitioned with the exception of an added user profile to accommodate the needs of the students in the Computer Learning classes. Each laptop will need to be configured and have drivers installed to recognize and operate on two different printers the classroom printer and the printer in the main library. The Kyocera currently in use in the library will need to be reconfigured for wireless printing. The OpenDNS filtering system currently in use on the public desktops will also need to be in place on the laptops. All this can be accomplished when the state IT staff networks the computer learning lab. The radio frequency security labels already in use for library books can be used on the laptops as well to sound the library s alarm system if one of the laptops should happen to be stolen. If theft becomes an issue, it is possible to discretely wire the laptops to the tables with a wire and padlock that can be removed when the laptops are needed in the classroom.

3 Budget: This proposal requires: 12 Wired Optical USB $4.49 each $53.88 It potentially requires: 12 Bell Key n Go Cable $11.99 each (or similar cable and padlock combination) $ Total Expenses $ This leaves the remainder of the $1,500 furniture and wiring allowance to be used for the wiring needs of bringing the community room online for a wireless networked classroom. It can also be used to augment the $371 allotted for a storage cart. The most inexpensive storage cart found was Metal Mobile MLS Series Laptop Security Cabinet for 16 laptops, available from School Outfitters, for $ Recommendations: Use of library space: These laptops should not be allowed to leave the library. Instead, they should have a permanent place and treated as an extension of the existing publicly accessed computers. Of the 12 laptops awarded to E. G. Fisher by the Computer Learning Center grant, 2 should be kept out of circulation one for instructor use to plan computer learning classes and one to use in rotation if any of the other laptops needs to be removed for repairs leaving 10 computers to accommodate for public access. In order to save money, the two tables, partitioned to accommodate four people each, currently being used in the genealogy section to house census books, can be reallocated as computer

4 tables. The tables can be retrofitted to accommodate wiring. If the census books are shelved elsewhere in the genealogy section, these two tables can be moved within site of the reference desk and used as laptop tables. The other two computers can be accommodated by adding a table onto the end of the public desktop computer carrels to accommodate the two children s computers currently being housed in the catalog kiosk. If these two computers are moved closer to the public desktop computers, parents needing to work on the internet can keep a closer eye on their children using the children s computers. The information table now housed at this location can be relocated. The two remaining laptop computers can be placed where the children s computers were in the catalog kiosk. If the catalog kiosk were moved back to take the place where currently two study tables are, the laptop computers can be place where the kiosk is now. Both the laptops and the kiosk will remain in view of the reference/circulation desk. The two displaced tables can be moved to take the place of the two tables being reallocated to house the laptops. Computers: Because the Computer Learning grant does not include mice for the laptops, additional mice will need to be purchased. The ATRIX MOUMS03BLK Silver/Black 3 Buttons 1 x Wheel USB Wired Optical Mouse, available from New Egg for $4.49 each, is recommended based on price, user reviews and ease of use. If using a wired mouse does not deter theft, which it may not since USB ports on laptops are easily accessible, the mice can be held behind the circulation desk and given to the patron when they sign in for a computer and returned when they sign out. If computer theft does prove to be a problem, the laptops can be secured with a wire and padlock as noted above. Since the grant administrators have not specified which laptops will be

5 purchased, the details of how to secure the laptops will have to wait until that information is available. Laptop hard drives should be partitioned as the desktop computers are to restrict downloading and saving privileges. However, an additional user profile with more privileges should be created in order to accommodate the assignments required in the computer learning and job procurement classes. Printer drivers will need to be installed on each computer to accommodate both the Kyocera printer in the main library and the laser printer provided by the grant. The Kyocera should be named the default printer in order to accommodate the public printing needs. Likewise, the Kyocera will need to be configured for wireless printing. As for printing for students in computer learning classes, selecting a non-default printer is a skill that can be incorporated into the lesson plans.

6 Description: E. G. Fisher Public library is situated in Athens, TN, approximately halfway between Knoxville and Chattanooga. Although there are four other libraries in the county, E. G. Fisher is the only full service library in this county of 52,000. The population of the city of Athens is approximately 14,000. The need for a laptop checkout system stemmed from the Computer Learning Center grant, funded by the USDA Rural Development Fund, the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, and the Tennessee Secretary of State. Fort Loudoun Regional Library, the regional library of which E. G. Fisher Public Library is part, applied for the grant on E. G. Fisher s behalf. The grant provides: Count Description 11 Laptops 1 Assistive Laptop for the Visually Impaired 1 Digital Projector 1 Laser Printer 1 Wireless Router 12 Extra RAM to 4GB 1 ZoomText Magnifier/ Reader Software 1 Jaws Screen Reader Software 12 MS Office 2007 Pro Plus Licenses

7 1 MS Office 2007 Pro Plus (CD only) 12 Norton Anti-Virus 11.0 Corp Licenses 1 Norton Anti-Virus 11.0 Corp (CD only) 12 WinWay Resume Deluxe 1 Mobile Steel Storage Cabinet 3 Shelf 1 Additional Print Cartridges Lex T652n $1,500 $2,400 Furniture and Wiring Allowance Classroom Instructor Allowance According to the parameters of the grant, the above equipment and allowances are to be used to provide instruction to the general public on computer use and job procurement. 60 hours of instruction within two years are the requirement of the grant. A program was needed to determine how best to use these laptops when they are not needed for classes. Upon initial consideration, allowing the laptops to circulate makes best use of the features specific to laptops namely, their mobility and increases computer access to the public. However, that mobility also significantly increases the cost of a checkout laptop program once security considerations are addressed. Although the security tags the library already owns would sound the alarm, they are only a mild theft deterrent because they are easily removed. LoJack for Laptops is an added security measure that helps track and recover stolen laptops. However, at $30/license/computer/year, the cost is prohibitive.

8 Another way to consider laptop security is to ask patrons to leave either a driver s license or a cash deposit or credit card when checking out a laptop. However, the hope for these computers is that they will increase computer access to those who can t find access otherwise. Another hope for these computers is that they will help the unemployed to find employment. This audience is not likely to have the cash for a deposit or a credit card to leave in good faith. Requiring a picture ID is a feasible option; however, many people in the targeted audience may not possess a picture ID. As security measures should not limit who has access to these computers, requiring an ID or a deposit could prohibit the very users the grant is aimed at reaching. In addition to security, laptop maintenance is a major consideration. Because the exact model of laptop to be provided by the grant is unknown, warranty and guarantee information on these laptops are also unknown. However, if these laptops are to survive handling by the general public, additional insurance to cover damages and breakage is worthy of consideration. Other maintenance issues to consider include wiping the hard drives clean of personally identifying information, inappropriate material, and unwanted programs upon return. Also, the laptops will not only need to be recharged upon return, they will need to be examined to make sure that their component pieces hard drives, DVD drives, etc are intact. Maintaining laptops that circulate and allow for more lenient privileges than are allowed on the public computer namely program downloading and saving to the hard drive or desktop requires significant staff time and training. Additional computer storage space that allows access to electrical outlets behind the reference/circulation desk will need to be secured. Because E. G. Fisher receives E-rate funding, the laptop computers will need to be filtered. As CIPA law requires, the staff at E. G. Fisher can bypass the filter for adults trying to access filtered material when those patrons are in the library. However, if the laptops are allowed to leave the library, this is a support task the staff cannot provide at the time it is needed.

9 By requiring that the laptops remain in the library and by keeping them in a semi-permanent place -- a secure place from which the laptops can easily be moved for class purposes in other words, treating the laptops as an extension of the existing desktop computer, eliminates most of the security, maintenance, and staff training monetary and time requirements.

10 Sources Consulted Laptop Checkout Programs in The Joy of Computing Recipes for a five-star library. Techsoup; accessed 11/11/10. Resource List Cable: Bell Key n' Go Cable Padlock-- $11.99 each Laptop Storage Cart: Atlantic Metal Metal Mobile MLS Series Laptop Security Cabinet -- $ /PFAM697 Mouse: ATRIX MOUMS03BLK Silver/Black 3 Buttons 1 x Wheel USB Wired Optical Mouse -- $4.49 each %20mouse&bop=And&Order=PRICE&PageSize=20