The library has lots and lots of computers. Lots and lots of people use them. Every month more than 700 people use the library computers. Some are writing resumes, some checking out Facebook, some play solitaire. Whatever the rest of us do on our home and office computers, other folks do on the library computers.
When I moved to Humboldt almost nine years ago, we had three public computers upstairs in the adult and teen department. After awhile, we scooched those computers closer together and added two more. Soon five wasn’t enough so we added wireless internet (which means the computer doesn’t need to be plugged into a phone line) and bought two laptop computers that we use for especially busy times. When seven wasn’t enough, we bought two more for a high table without chairs. These will do in a pinch for patrons who “just need to check their email” or something else relatively quick. I wouldn’t want to stand there and write a research paper or balance my checkbook, ‘though.
We have finally reached capacity. I guess we could add more laptops, but anyone using them might be hard-pressed to find a comfortable chair to sit in some days. Also, when the battery is low the laptop needs to be in reach of an electrical socket.
What we have done to ease the strain, is add a new feature to our system. It’s called Envisionware. We bought this software product, something that I can’t see or touch, and had our local IT service install it. Unlike some other new gismos, this one is fairly user (librarian) friendly. What it does is lock the public computers. When someone comes in to use them, the user must log in with his/her library card number. Then, the user will receive up to one hour of computer time per day. This smart invisible system knows if you have a big fine or overdue books. You’ll be sent away to pay your debt to society before it allows you to use the computer.
Envisionware does require a Humboldt Public Library card. If someone comes to town to visit Granny for a few days, we will be happy to issue a guest pass that will allow the same computer privileges as a library card holder. I suppose that someone could come in and pretend to be passing through town and ask for a guest pass. That will work once or twice, but when we catch on you will be required to have a card.
Last week, we had a fairly new resident who hesitates to get a library card because “a bunch” of women are out to get him to pay back child support. I’m not sure how they could track him down through a library card; we don’t register them with any Big Brother Main Library or the IRS. We told the gentleman that it was his decision to make. He can continue hiding out and not use the library computers or man-up to his responsibilities and do things the right way. His choice, at your library.