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