Hello Everyone,
PCR is functioning well at Sunnyside according to all the information I have read and the staff I have spoken with that work with it everyday. For today, one feature that I want to mention quickly is the dedicated server for PCR and what this means for FCPL staff.
What does having a dedicated server for PCR mean? To answer that, it is best to understand what it is not by mentioning how the current servers for CybraryN operate. Currently, the server for CybraryN shares a computer at most branches with a reservation kiosk or an OPAC. It shares resources with other programs and from what I understand, this is the reason why all library computers have to be turned on and logged in in a particular order. If the starting order is changed in any way, the LPT1 may not work, the login screen does not appear, etc.
Having a dedicated server for PCR means that there is no magic order to turning and connecting all the computers. You just turn on the public and staff computers, log them in, and everything is ready to go. Sounds a lot easier than CybraryN doesn't it? Post any comments you have, the PCR Task Force would like to hear from you. Have a great day.
J
Update 06/25/09
I have learned that not all locations will have a dedicated server. Apologies for the misinformation. Here is an explanation of the dedicated servers from Kathleen S:
PCR Management Console
The management console is the “brain” of the PC Reservation system. It contains all of the settings for the software. For larger locations (10+ PCs) this piece of the system will be installed on a dedicated PC stored in a back room/data line closet. For smaller locations (<10 PCs), the Management Console will be installed on a staff PC. IMPORTANT: This PC must be turned on, logged in and the Management Console window must be open and running in order for the rest of PC Reservation to work.
J
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Saturday, June 13, 2009
PCR is up and running, here are some observations about the new features
Hello Everyone,
PCR is currently in operation at Sunnyside and here is some features and observations about the system that you need to know. Once the trial period end at Sunnyside, PCR will be installed at the rest of the FCPL branches so it is best to know about these features now instead of when it is installed. Thanks to Kathleen S. for providing a great list.
Changes with PC Reservation (PCR)
Every minute used on every public computer in the building counts toward the patrons limit of 120 minutes per day. Gone are the days when a person could get 2 hours in the children’s room, another 2 hours in the lab and still use the 15 minute express. Time extensions also count toward the 120 minute limit.
Only one instance of the patron’s barcode can be in the PCR system at one time. This means patrons should finish using the PCs today before they can book a reservation for tomorrow. It also means patrons can no longer make a reservation at one PC, then work on another PC while they are waiting. If they do that, they will be given the option to either cancel their first reservation or use this current session.
We can provide for extended PC use very easily with PCR. We can configure a public PC so that it allows only walk ups with no time extensions. It can never be reserved by the patron at the kiosk, but can still be used as a 15, 30 or 60 minute PC most of the time. However staff can reserve that PC for any amount of time for any date in the future. No more logging into the staff profile. That patron will simply log into their session as usual - and PCR gives them the extended time you set up.
The sign in screen at each PC clearly tells the patron if the PC is available or reserved. If it’s reserved, the time of the next reservation is also displayed. If there’s 15 minutes before that reservation begins, the patron can login and use the PC. If there’s less than 15 minutes left, it won’t allow them to login.
On the 15-minute express stations, we can no longer limit the use to 1 time per day. That’s not an option in PCR at this time. However, every time the patron uses a 15-minute station, that time is counted toward their 120 minute total.
When the patron makes a reservation, the kiosk displays the total number of minutes they are allowed for the day, the number of minutes they have already used and the number of minute they have remaining.
Staff no longer need to use FCPL library cards to make reservations for visitors. PCR provides a “guest reservation” feature. Staff can print any number of guest receipts each day. The receipt contains a randomly generated “library card number” beginning with the word GUEST followed by 5 digits. This number is used to make a reservation. Guest passes are good for that day only with the same 120 minute limit as other users.
Partial reservations are allowed at the end of the day. Users can reserve a 60 minute PC even if the branch is less than an hour away from closing. That wasn't possible with CybraryN and it lead to inequitable computer use by a handful of patrons.3
When reserving a PC, users no longer have the option of selecting a specific PC. They can only select the session length (30 or 60). PCR will assign them the next available one. And it's much better at doing this across all the PCs. It doesn't load all of the reservations on the PCs with lower numbers like CybraryN does.
We're no longer requiring the use of the library card PIN to use a PC. PCR gives the user a randomly generated 5-digit access code they use instead. They get a new access code for every reservation and it is printed on the receipt. Walkups don't need an access code. They just use their library card number. (Note: we are NOT eliminating use of the PIN for the patron to access their account online/by phone, place holds, etc.)
We got rid of the 15-minute waiting period between reservations. PCR has a built in 5-minute buffer between each reservation to allow patrons time to transition and we're hoping this also prevents the dreaded "double booking" that was so prevelant with CybraryN.
So what do you think? Leave a comment to let the PCR Task Force know. Have a good day.
J
PCR is currently in operation at Sunnyside and here is some features and observations about the system that you need to know. Once the trial period end at Sunnyside, PCR will be installed at the rest of the FCPL branches so it is best to know about these features now instead of when it is installed. Thanks to Kathleen S. for providing a great list.
Changes with PC Reservation (PCR)
Every minute used on every public computer in the building counts toward the patrons limit of 120 minutes per day. Gone are the days when a person could get 2 hours in the children’s room, another 2 hours in the lab and still use the 15 minute express. Time extensions also count toward the 120 minute limit.
Only one instance of the patron’s barcode can be in the PCR system at one time. This means patrons should finish using the PCs today before they can book a reservation for tomorrow. It also means patrons can no longer make a reservation at one PC, then work on another PC while they are waiting. If they do that, they will be given the option to either cancel their first reservation or use this current session.
We can provide for extended PC use very easily with PCR. We can configure a public PC so that it allows only walk ups with no time extensions. It can never be reserved by the patron at the kiosk, but can still be used as a 15, 30 or 60 minute PC most of the time. However staff can reserve that PC for any amount of time for any date in the future. No more logging into the staff profile. That patron will simply log into their session as usual - and PCR gives them the extended time you set up.
The sign in screen at each PC clearly tells the patron if the PC is available or reserved. If it’s reserved, the time of the next reservation is also displayed. If there’s 15 minutes before that reservation begins, the patron can login and use the PC. If there’s less than 15 minutes left, it won’t allow them to login.
On the 15-minute express stations, we can no longer limit the use to 1 time per day. That’s not an option in PCR at this time. However, every time the patron uses a 15-minute station, that time is counted toward their 120 minute total.
When the patron makes a reservation, the kiosk displays the total number of minutes they are allowed for the day, the number of minutes they have already used and the number of minute they have remaining.
Staff no longer need to use FCPL library cards to make reservations for visitors. PCR provides a “guest reservation” feature. Staff can print any number of guest receipts each day. The receipt contains a randomly generated “library card number” beginning with the word GUEST followed by 5 digits. This number is used to make a reservation. Guest passes are good for that day only with the same 120 minute limit as other users.
Partial reservations are allowed at the end of the day. Users can reserve a 60 minute PC even if the branch is less than an hour away from closing. That wasn't possible with CybraryN and it lead to inequitable computer use by a handful of patrons.3
When reserving a PC, users no longer have the option of selecting a specific PC. They can only select the session length (30 or 60). PCR will assign them the next available one. And it's much better at doing this across all the PCs. It doesn't load all of the reservations on the PCs with lower numbers like CybraryN does.
We're no longer requiring the use of the library card PIN to use a PC. PCR gives the user a randomly generated 5-digit access code they use instead. They get a new access code for every reservation and it is printed on the receipt. Walkups don't need an access code. They just use their library card number. (Note: we are NOT eliminating use of the PIN for the patron to access their account online/by phone, place holds, etc.)
We got rid of the 15-minute waiting period between reservations. PCR has a built in 5-minute buffer between each reservation to allow patrons time to transition and we're hoping this also prevents the dreaded "double booking" that was so prevelant with CybraryN.
So what do you think? Leave a comment to let the PCR Task Force know. Have a good day.
J
Thursday, June 11, 2009
PCR Feature #5-5 minute buffer times and other miscellaneous time related stuff.
Hello Everyone,
PCR is now installed and in use at the Sunnyside Branch Library. As you know, Sunnyside is serving as our test site and it will be interesting to see how everything works.
A small group of SJVLS and FCPL staff met with Envisionware staff this week to go over PCR and to use the new system. One of the interesting features that we learned was what I call the 5 minute buffer zone (and that PCR reserves time using 5 minute increments).
With CycbraryN, time was reserved with 15 minute blocks of time, with PCR, time is reserved using 5 minute increments. Instead of reserving time at let's say 8:15 or 2:45 only, reservations with PCR can be made at 8:10 or 4:35, for example. How will this work out? Will it be an improvement? All I can say is we'll se how it works at the pilot site for now.
Another feature that I found intriguing is what I like to call a "5 minute buffer zone" that will provide smoother transitions between patron reservations. How this works is that PCR reserves blocks of time (either 30 or 1 hour) and a 5 minute block of time is inserted between reservations. As an example, a patron makes a reservation for 30 minutes at 10 am, another patron makes a reservation after at 10:35. So why have this buffer zone? One reason that I can figure out is that this will reduce patrons who "camp out" at a computer even after their time is finished. I still have to get feedback from how this is working out at Sunnyside to provide more details. Watch this space.
So what do you think of this? Leave your comments below as the PCR Task Force would love to hear what you have to say.
J
PCR is now installed and in use at the Sunnyside Branch Library. As you know, Sunnyside is serving as our test site and it will be interesting to see how everything works.
A small group of SJVLS and FCPL staff met with Envisionware staff this week to go over PCR and to use the new system. One of the interesting features that we learned was what I call the 5 minute buffer zone (and that PCR reserves time using 5 minute increments).
With CycbraryN, time was reserved with 15 minute blocks of time, with PCR, time is reserved using 5 minute increments. Instead of reserving time at let's say 8:15 or 2:45 only, reservations with PCR can be made at 8:10 or 4:35, for example. How will this work out? Will it be an improvement? All I can say is we'll se how it works at the pilot site for now.
Another feature that I found intriguing is what I like to call a "5 minute buffer zone" that will provide smoother transitions between patron reservations. How this works is that PCR reserves blocks of time (either 30 or 1 hour) and a 5 minute block of time is inserted between reservations. As an example, a patron makes a reservation for 30 minutes at 10 am, another patron makes a reservation after at 10:35. So why have this buffer zone? One reason that I can figure out is that this will reduce patrons who "camp out" at a computer even after their time is finished. I still have to get feedback from how this is working out at Sunnyside to provide more details. Watch this space.
So what do you think of this? Leave your comments below as the PCR Task Force would love to hear what you have to say.
J
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
The #1 question I've received is about multiple cards and PCR-a little more info.
Hello Everyone,
To those that are following this blog, or check it occasionally to see what is happening with PCR, I say thank you. I appreciate the comments that have been posted and this entry deals specifically with a concern that has been mentioned multiple times.
A couple of blog readers have made clear their concerns about patrons who use multiple cards to get more time on the computer. This behavior is in clear violation of FCPL's Internet Guidelines for Use which state:
2.Computer users can only sign up for a computer using their own library card. They may not misrepresent themselves or use someone else’s card or PIN.
I sense the concern over PCR and patrons using multiple cards is that once PIN numbers are eliminated, what is to stop patons from using another card to get an access code and get on a public computer beyond their time limit? Currently, PIN numbers is used as a security feature to try and prevent this kind of abuse. A patron would need to know multiple PIN numbers to multiple cards to grant more internet access. With PIN numbers no longer used in PCR, the concern is that this behavior will proliferate.
The PCR committee discussed this issue and we have reached the following conclusions:
1. There is currently no such method or program that would prevent this scenario 100% of the time and this is essentially a behavior issue.
2. Misuse of a library card to obtain additional computer time is a breach of library policy. Therefore, our detailed guidelines for dealing with patrons who do not comply with library policies can be applied as they are with any other breach of the Rules of Conduct.
I know it is difficult to keep track of all patrons and how much time they use on the computers but if you notice someone is in clear violation of the Rules of Conduct, then follow the same Library Rules of Conduct to decide the best course of action. According to the Internet Guidelines for Use, "Failure to comply with these rules will result in the revocation of computer use privileges." Source
Again, I welcome any questions or comments. Have a great day everyone.
J
To those that are following this blog, or check it occasionally to see what is happening with PCR, I say thank you. I appreciate the comments that have been posted and this entry deals specifically with a concern that has been mentioned multiple times.
A couple of blog readers have made clear their concerns about patrons who use multiple cards to get more time on the computer. This behavior is in clear violation of FCPL's Internet Guidelines for Use which state:
2.Computer users can only sign up for a computer using their own library card. They may not misrepresent themselves or use someone else’s card or PIN.
I sense the concern over PCR and patrons using multiple cards is that once PIN numbers are eliminated, what is to stop patons from using another card to get an access code and get on a public computer beyond their time limit? Currently, PIN numbers is used as a security feature to try and prevent this kind of abuse. A patron would need to know multiple PIN numbers to multiple cards to grant more internet access. With PIN numbers no longer used in PCR, the concern is that this behavior will proliferate.
The PCR committee discussed this issue and we have reached the following conclusions:
1. There is currently no such method or program that would prevent this scenario 100% of the time and this is essentially a behavior issue.
2. Misuse of a library card to obtain additional computer time is a breach of library policy. Therefore, our detailed guidelines for dealing with patrons who do not comply with library policies can be applied as they are with any other breach of the Rules of Conduct.
I know it is difficult to keep track of all patrons and how much time they use on the computers but if you notice someone is in clear violation of the Rules of Conduct, then follow the same Library Rules of Conduct to decide the best course of action. According to the Internet Guidelines for Use, "Failure to comply with these rules will result in the revocation of computer use privileges." Source
Again, I welcome any questions or comments. Have a great day everyone.
J
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