HIT:GEN>Word Processing in Sch. Lib.

[Murry or Saranne Gans <mmsgans@ONRAMP.NET>]

Dear Library Folk,

When I wrote a plea for info. about whether word processing was allowed
on school lib. computers, I got fifteen or so responses.  My library is
small and before school is crazy with wp and only four computers. (The
computer lab not available most the day)

There were five NO's and ten YES's for word processing in the library.
If I may summarize, the librarians who have the support of computer labs
close by, or available throughout the day are the least worried about
word processing tying up valuable computer time in the lib.

There were three NO's who said the lib. computers were for research
only.  A lot of this is really campus specific.  Student enrollment and
the demand on lib. computers, of course, matters.  One librarian didn't
want wp done, but deferrred to a principal who did.  One said, "I see it
as an inappropriate use of our limited facilities."

Most of the YES's offer word processing within use priorities, some even
first come first serve.  One library has 1st priority, research, 2nd,
educational purposes, 3rd, other.

This info. has helped me decide.  This year, I will allow wp all day
long according to certain guidelines or priorities (I did this before
but not formally stated), but I will NOT allow wp before school as it
has caused problems in the past with student tardiness and panic
situations, blaming lib. computers for work not completed, etc.  I don't
feel like an ogre now doing this because of your various comments.

Thanks for the honesty and the shot in the arm of positives.
Comments like the following help all of us:
                 "Yes, it creates a positive atmosphere and then students come
back...."
                "I wouldn't dream of not offering this."
                "It's a valid service...." help all of us.

One person said this is the small staff and not to worry about it.
Well, I'll think about that!

Thanks.


Saranne Gans
Cistercian Prep School
Irving,  TX
mmsgans@onramp.net

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