Hello,
The day to dump CybraryN is fast approaching and with it, many changes to current policies. One such change is the elimination of PIN numbers. As library staff, we hear quite frequently about forgotten PIN's, etc. and the truth is that we do spend a lot of time looking up these numbers. A study was conducted at FCPL branches August 18-24, 2008 regarding how much time was spent looking up PIN numbers for patrons. The result? A cumulative time of 45.48 hours were spent looking up these numbers. That number is actually on the conservative side. So one of the changes the PCR (PC Reservation) Task Force is recommending is eliminating the use of PIN numbers to reserve computers. Of course, PIN numbers is still required for home access to patron accounts.
If PIN numbers will not be required, does this mean all that is needed to reserve a computer is a library barcode number? The answer is no, PC reservation will instead use an access code that is generated upon reservation of a computer. Essentially, once a computer is reserved, a slip of paper is printed with a unique access code that is linked for that specific reservation and patron. Essentially, even though using PIN numbers will not be required when PC Reservation is installed, there will still be security measures with the use of access codes.
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So, will a person still need a barcode and pin to actually make a reservation, or just the barcode? Also, are staff able to look up an access code to let a person log onto a computer if they've lost it?
ReplyDeleteA barcode is all that is needed. Once a barcode is entered, an access code is generated. In regard to looking up a lost access code for a patron, that can be done with PCR.
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