Sorry for the delay! I received several answers in reply to my question about
whether it was worth the cost of a maintanence agreement for school security
systems (the kid that beep if patrons take out an unscanned book). Here are the
replies:
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Our 3M machine is about as old as yours. We let our maintenace agreement elapse.
Each year i unplug the system, wash off the bars with soap and water or another
cleaner, and then plug it back in. I found that if the system starts to give
inaccurate beeps, that if I check to be sure there's no metal moved near it and
then go though the unplugging and cleaning (sometimes I don't even need to clean
it) then it goes back to working correctly. Not sure if it was a good idea or not,
but when the principle said I'd have to kick in money to pay for the renewal I
realized that I'd have to buy less books, so i thought I'd just trust in the 3m
brand and so far so good.
The best in whatever decision you make
Rosette' Acord
Bonneville High School Library
Ogden, Utah
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
I don't have any maintenance money in my budget, so no service contract. So far,
no problems. I've had it five years. Debbie
Debbie S. Fisher , SLMS, Central Falls High School, Central Falls, RI
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
Yes, we do have a maintenance agreement. Each of our middle and high
schools use CheckPoint. Thankfully, our Board of Education pays the annual
renewal since it is a security issue. It is not unusual to have our system
"tuned up" one, two, or three times each year - settings slip sometimes
because of the constant construction we have been undergoing for the last 4
years and sometimes the security tags for print items and videotapes vary a
little. Our service technician comes from another state - which would be
costly without a service contract.
Miriam Smith Hudson
Library Media Specialist
Bradwell Intitute High School
100 Pafford Street
Hinesville, GA 31313
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Three of us in Lawton, Ok have 3M security systems but we don't spend the $
for the maintenance agreements. Too costly and unneeded. Amy Watkins
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
It was too expensive for us to stay on the service contract. So far (since 1998),
we've been lucky. I think/hope that what we've saved on the contracts would pay
for any service call we may have to have.
Lindy Hutchison, Librarian
Sweeny HS Library
Sweeny, TX
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
After a budget cut about 6 years ago, I stopped doing the service contracts
and have not had a service call in the 6 years. Maybe I'm asking for
trouble but it seemed like a no brainer -- books or service contract? books
everytime!
IMHO
Joanne Benson Glasgow
Teacher Librarian
Evergreen High Schools
830 SW 116th Street
Seattle, WA 98146
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Thanks to all who replied!
Cayla Armatti
Library Media Specialist
Lake Weir High School
Ocala, Florida
(352) 671-4820, or 5-8971
cayla.armatti@marion.k12.fl.us
Outside a dog, a book is a man's best friend; inside a dog it's too dark to read.
Groucho Marx
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