RE: Public Access PC's - Management Software

["Richard Wayne" <richardwayne@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Hello,

At the Lancaster Veterans Memorial Library in Lancaster, Texas; we use the
III API with CybraryN. A patron must enter his or her name and barcode at
the CybraryN login screen. The system checks the patron database to ensure
that the patron has Internet privileges. In addition, CybraryN checks that
the patron does not have fines over a certain dollar amount. You can add
other criteria.

CybraryN provides authentication, a menu, time limits, usage statistics, and
desktop security. The security is not perfect, but improves over time.

You could have guest [names and] barcodes for non-cardholders. The system
works quite well. It certainly saves hours and hours of staff time by not
requiring staff intervention for Internet access.

Regards,

Richard Wayne
Strategic Information Management Services
804 Claire View Drive
DeSoto, Texas 75115
RichardWayne@xxxxxxxxxx
www.strategicinformation.com
972/274.4636 (voice & fax)

You wrote >>>>>

We currently have 8 public internet PC's and will be adding 2
shortly. Our staff spends a great deal of time signing up patrons and
assuring PC availability.  We're looking to automate this process as
much as possible to minimize staff oversight.  Is there an autonomous
system out there?  What's being used for software to manage Public
Access PC's and what are your experiences with these programs?
	I've read some about III's API.  It appears as though API allows a
program to hook data from a patron database for purposes of patron
authentication.  Which programs have this ability?  How do you deal with
non cardholder use of PC's?  If you're not authenticating with your
patron database, and are, perhaps, running management software on a
peer-to-peer, what are you using and what do you like and dislike about
the programs?
	Essentially, what are you using for this type of software
and what are it's strengths and shortcomings?

Thanks,

Kern


Kern Mann
Systems Technician
Rochester Public Library