Hello,
Along with the PCR system, FCPL is looking at purchasing coin operated-printers for patrons to use. What? Coin operated printers? Yes, you read that right. Patrons will be able to release their own prints by simply using coin-operated printers. No staff involvement needed unless the printer needs paper or patrons need change.
I'm sure there are plenty of questions and this is still in the planning stages but this is what I know. Coin-op printers will be purchased in stages according to computer usage. For the first year, 5 coin-op printers will be installed at the following 5 branches: Central, Woodward, Sunnyside, Fig Garden and Clovis. If you have any questions, feel free to leave them in the comments section and the PCR task force will do their best to answer them. Have a great day.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
PCR Feature #4: Next Open Day Reservation
Hello,
If you work at a branch that is closed one or more days, have you had to answer a patron's question why a computer cannot be reserved ahead of time? For example, a library branch is closed on Sunday and patrons cannot reserve a computer on Saturday for Monday because of the whole 24 hours in advance rule in CybraryN. If that last sentence sounded a little confusing, then the whole proctice of the 24 hour reservation window excluding closed days is not beneficial for patrons.
In the new PCR system, patrons and staff can now reserve a computer in advance even if a library branch is closed. This is called "Next Open Day". The 24 hour window still applies but it also includes the next time a branch is open. Essentially, a patron can reserve a public computer on Saturday for a time on Monday, given that the branch is closed Sundays. This does not allow patrons to reserve a computer three days ahead of time, or a week, only 24 hours in advance. It will only allow this when closed days are taken into account. That's it for now, have a great day everyone.
J
If you work at a branch that is closed one or more days, have you had to answer a patron's question why a computer cannot be reserved ahead of time? For example, a library branch is closed on Sunday and patrons cannot reserve a computer on Saturday for Monday because of the whole 24 hours in advance rule in CybraryN. If that last sentence sounded a little confusing, then the whole proctice of the 24 hour reservation window excluding closed days is not beneficial for patrons.
In the new PCR system, patrons and staff can now reserve a computer in advance even if a library branch is closed. This is called "Next Open Day". The 24 hour window still applies but it also includes the next time a branch is open. Essentially, a patron can reserve a public computer on Saturday for a time on Monday, given that the branch is closed Sundays. This does not allow patrons to reserve a computer three days ahead of time, or a week, only 24 hours in advance. It will only allow this when closed days are taken into account. That's it for now, have a great day everyone.
J
Thursday, March 19, 2009
The PCR system and interface may look vaguely familiar.
So, I have posted some screenshots of the PCR system as a preview of what is coming but one interesting tidbit that I have to share with you regards the connection between PCR and a program that FCPL is already using. If you looked at the screenshots that have been posted, the organization and appearance may look vaguely familiar. This is because PCR is made by a company called Envisionware. Envisionware is also the manufacturer of the LPT1 program (our print manager system) that FCPL currently uses.
So what does this mean for FCPL branches? One benefit of this connection is smoother interoperability between our computers, PCR and the print manager system. Since PCR and the print management system is made by the same company, communication will be better and less problems will theoretically occur. Another benefit of this connection is purely aesthetic because the appearance between the two will be more consistent with each other, which will be beneficial for staff. That's it for now, have a great day.
J
So what does this mean for FCPL branches? One benefit of this connection is smoother interoperability between our computers, PCR and the print manager system. Since PCR and the print management system is made by the same company, communication will be better and less problems will theoretically occur. Another benefit of this connection is purely aesthetic because the appearance between the two will be more consistent with each other, which will be beneficial for staff. That's it for now, have a great day.
J
Thursday, March 12, 2009
PCR Feature #3: The Public Computer
One of the big questions about PCR is "How will the public computers look like"? Well, I got some screenshots to show you. Bear in mind I took these from the evaluation copy and that the wording may be different on the finished product.
#1: The sign in screen.
Now for an analysis. The first thing that stands out in my mind is the wording in red that says when the computer is reserved, in this case, it is reserved at 10:10 am. This only occurs when a computer is reserved ahead of time and this allows walk up patrons to see that it is already reserved. They can go ahead and use the computer if there is time available before the reserved time but once 10:10 (or any reservation) arrives, they will be logged off. If the computer is available, it would look like this:
Notice it says "Available" in green.
Additionally, notice that an open computer prompts patrons to click on the colored text to log in.
The next step after a patron enters in their library barcode number is they will have to enter their access code (remember, no more PIN numbers) Once this is done, they will be able to use the computer.
#2 The Public Computer Itself.
The only noticeable difference here is the counter, which tells the patron how many minutes are left in their session. The counter is also larger and has a more noticeable font. If a patron logs out, or logs out early, they will get this message or something close to it:
Keep in mind that this is still being tested, still being wordsmithed but nonetheless, the PCR Task Force would like to know what you think. Please leave any questions or comments under the "comments" link.
#1: The sign in screen.
Now for an analysis. The first thing that stands out in my mind is the wording in red that says when the computer is reserved, in this case, it is reserved at 10:10 am. This only occurs when a computer is reserved ahead of time and this allows walk up patrons to see that it is already reserved. They can go ahead and use the computer if there is time available before the reserved time but once 10:10 (or any reservation) arrives, they will be logged off. If the computer is available, it would look like this:
Notice it says "Available" in green.
Additionally, notice that an open computer prompts patrons to click on the colored text to log in.
The next step after a patron enters in their library barcode number is they will have to enter their access code (remember, no more PIN numbers) Once this is done, they will be able to use the computer.
#2 The Public Computer Itself.
The only noticeable difference here is the counter, which tells the patron how many minutes are left in their session. The counter is also larger and has a more noticeable font. If a patron logs out, or logs out early, they will get this message or something close to it:
Keep in mind that this is still being tested, still being wordsmithed but nonetheless, the PCR Task Force would like to know what you think. Please leave any questions or comments under the "comments" link.
PCR Feature #2: Better Communication Between Servers and Computers.
One feature of PCR that I am excited about is the improved communication between servers and computers. Why should this be important and how is PCR going to be an improvement? I will explain further.
Currently, CybraryN is constantly communicating between servers, public computers and the staff interface. This sounds ideal, since communication is vital to make everything work but too much communication results in mixed signals and breakdowns in transferrence of information. Too much communication is what CycbraryN accomplishes currently. Think of it as tons of "chatter" among all components, or a disorderly shouting match occurring all the time. All this communication results in sluggishness, double booking, unresponsive computers, etc. that can be frustrating.
So what is different with PCR and communication between components? To put it simply: orderly, reduced communication. It is definitely not a shouting match, more like an orderly roundtable discussions where everyone has a turn. If a computer loses communication with the server, it will simply say when it is ready and wait for the server to establish a connection again.
I hope this makes some sense as this is the best I can do in explaining a process that often happens unnoticed. If you have any questions, feel free to post them in the comments area. Thanks.
Currently, CybraryN is constantly communicating between servers, public computers and the staff interface. This sounds ideal, since communication is vital to make everything work but too much communication results in mixed signals and breakdowns in transferrence of information. Too much communication is what CycbraryN accomplishes currently. Think of it as tons of "chatter" among all components, or a disorderly shouting match occurring all the time. All this communication results in sluggishness, double booking, unresponsive computers, etc. that can be frustrating.
So what is different with PCR and communication between components? To put it simply: orderly, reduced communication. It is definitely not a shouting match, more like an orderly roundtable discussions where everyone has a turn. If a computer loses communication with the server, it will simply say when it is ready and wait for the server to establish a connection again.
I hope this makes some sense as this is the best I can do in explaining a process that often happens unnoticed. If you have any questions, feel free to post them in the comments area. Thanks.
Bye Bye "Shimmer" or "The Neverending Refreshing Schedule"
One of the CybraryN features that can be frustrating to no end is "The Shimmer". This occurs when the staff interface refreshes the computer schedule, resulting in what seems to be a neverending process that disrupts staff ability to make or cancel reservations.
Imagine this refreshing and being mesmerized
So if this annoying feature of CybraryN will be gone, then what will replace it? The PCR staff interface is interesting, lots of tabs and features, stuff that is still being tested. What I did find when I took screenshots is that most likely, the schedule will look like this:
Granted, the picture only shows if a computer is available, along with information such as start time, end time, user information, etc. One drawback to this screen is that staff cannot make a reservation using this option, that is a seperate tab on the staff interface. In my opinion though, I would much rather have a stable (no "shimmer") way of seeing a schedule than to have an unstable schedule that is constantly refreshing and allows me to make a reservation.
Imagine this refreshing and being mesmerized
So if this annoying feature of CybraryN will be gone, then what will replace it? The PCR staff interface is interesting, lots of tabs and features, stuff that is still being tested. What I did find when I took screenshots is that most likely, the schedule will look like this:
Granted, the picture only shows if a computer is available, along with information such as start time, end time, user information, etc. One drawback to this screen is that staff cannot make a reservation using this option, that is a seperate tab on the staff interface. In my opinion though, I would much rather have a stable (no "shimmer") way of seeing a schedule than to have an unstable schedule that is constantly refreshing and allows me to make a reservation.
Monday, February 23, 2009
PCR Feature #1: 2 hours use is the limit, period.
A current scenarion as imagined with a patron using CybraryN:
It is morning at a medium sized branch of the FCPL. It is also slow as one patron has been leisurely using a 30 minute public computer and because there is little demand for computer use, the patron is given numerous time extensions (let's say about an hour). This seems okay until patron traffic increases and the patron is logged off due to another reservation being made for that particular computer. Due to one of the quirks of CybraryN, the only time that was recorded and matters is the initial 30 minute use. In reality, the patron used and an hour and a half but CybrarN only kept track of the first 30 minutes. This enables the patron to hop on another computer for another hour and half and keep using time that is technically much more above the 2 hour time limit that is in the FCPL Internet Guidelines for Use.
Now back to reality. The inability of CybraryN to keep accurate track of computer time usage has been a serious issue, especially during times when demand exceeds supply. This quirk results in an imbalace in regard to how much computer time a patrons use, especially during busy times and many patrons are scrambling to get on one. One patron may have used 4 hours on a computer while someone else only gets, let's say, 30 minutes.
Luckily, this lack of keeping an accurate two hour time limit is absent in PCR. When a patron uses their library card on a public computer managed by the PCR system, there is in theory (I say theory because PCR is still being tested) a limit to how much time is available and it is 2 hours. If a patron gets a time extension (yes, PCR will extend time) because there is no reservation pending, that extended time is tracked and is part of the overall 2 hours that is allotted to patrons. Essentially, everyone gets 2 hours on the public computers, no exceptions. The PCR system will keep track of how much time is used in regard to a patron's library card and once that limit is reached, the patron has to wait until the next day to use a public computer at that location.
Questions? Comments? Feel free to post them on this website using the "comments" button at the end of this post.
It is morning at a medium sized branch of the FCPL. It is also slow as one patron has been leisurely using a 30 minute public computer and because there is little demand for computer use, the patron is given numerous time extensions (let's say about an hour). This seems okay until patron traffic increases and the patron is logged off due to another reservation being made for that particular computer. Due to one of the quirks of CybraryN, the only time that was recorded and matters is the initial 30 minute use. In reality, the patron used and an hour and a half but CybrarN only kept track of the first 30 minutes. This enables the patron to hop on another computer for another hour and half and keep using time that is technically much more above the 2 hour time limit that is in the FCPL Internet Guidelines for Use.
Now back to reality. The inability of CybraryN to keep accurate track of computer time usage has been a serious issue, especially during times when demand exceeds supply. This quirk results in an imbalace in regard to how much computer time a patrons use, especially during busy times and many patrons are scrambling to get on one. One patron may have used 4 hours on a computer while someone else only gets, let's say, 30 minutes.
Luckily, this lack of keeping an accurate two hour time limit is absent in PCR. When a patron uses their library card on a public computer managed by the PCR system, there is in theory (I say theory because PCR is still being tested) a limit to how much time is available and it is 2 hours. If a patron gets a time extension (yes, PCR will extend time) because there is no reservation pending, that extended time is tracked and is part of the overall 2 hours that is allotted to patrons. Essentially, everyone gets 2 hours on the public computers, no exceptions. The PCR system will keep track of how much time is used in regard to a patron's library card and once that limit is reached, the patron has to wait until the next day to use a public computer at that location.
Questions? Comments? Feel free to post them on this website using the "comments" button at the end of this post.
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