Re: [LM_NET] SEC: Computer Mice Check-Out

[Shonda Brisco <sbrisco@GMAIL.COM>]

I did have a "Computer Mice Check-Out" system.  This was due to some
abuse at the computers by students who insisted on stealing the balls
and playing games on the computers when they were restricted---- we
couldn't keep them away from the computers because they would just
move from one set to another in the library when we weren't looking,
so it was a hassle.

Without a "mouse" to operate the systems, most students didn't know
how to play the games (or operate the keyboard controls) to make the
programs work, so they left the library defeated when we confiscated
the mouse.  (This also allowed me to make a notation on the students'
check-out record when I checked-in the mouse that the student had
abused the "no game rule" and I had the time and date available to
share with the administration the next day (who wanted me to enforce
the rules---another story altogether.)

I actually barcoded (with the smaller barcode strips) the bottoms of
the mice and checked them in and out at the circulation desk.  We did
this for about 3 months (or until the end of the school year that
Spring).  Over the summer, I purchased all new mice (optical mice---
no ball inside).  When school started in the fall, I did not go back
to the check-out system primarily because the students who were
problems weren't there and the mice weren't a problem anymore.

As far as the changing of the mice during the day -- these mice were
basically "plug and play" so it wasn't a significant "strain" on the
computer to plug in the mouse when the student began to login to the
system.  Our computer tech person didn't think it was a problem if I
wanted to be in charge of collecting the mice all day (which I
did),and so for the short time that I used this technique, no
computers were injured and no mice were dissected in malice.

~Shonda

Shonda Brisco, MLIS
Library Media Specialist
Arlington ISD
Arlington, Texas
sbrisco@gmail.com

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