[Evergreen-general] computers for those who have never used one

[Lolis, John]

After considerable cogitation on this, I've concluded that the answer to #1
should start with a kiosk interface.  A kiosk would--or should--only allow
actions that are directed and safe, and could therefore serve as a wading
pool for newbies.  Properly designed and developed, it could educate at the
same time it allows use.  I'd also allow for advancement to the next
level(s) in which some of the restrictive kiosk features are removed.
Advance far enough, and all kiosk features are removed.

As for question #2, the answer here is "all of the above."  Or whatever
works under the given circumstances, especially when very busy and little
time can be devoted to helping only one person.  Staff try their best to
help however they can, including helping patrons fill out forms of whatever
sort.  With regard to handling patron phones, tablets or laptops, we're
rather loose about it; however, I direct my staff of three to avoid doing
that.  In a previous life doing tech support, it was strictly verboten to
even suggest certain changes, let alone perform them.  That was to avoid
potential lawsuits in which someone claims damage from our direction or
actions.

hmmm... you know, thinking about advising patrons to bring someone with
them who can help, I could see coming up with a program that pairs high
school students with patrons who need more involved help.

Best wishes to all,

John Lolis
Coordinator of Computer Systems

100 Martine Avenue
White Plains, NY  10601

tel: 1.914.422.1497
fax: 1.914.422.1452

https://whiteplainslibrary.org/

*“I would rather have questions that can’t be answered than answers that
can’t be questioned.”*
— Richard Feynman
<https://click.fourhourmail.com/5qure95xkf7hvvo93wh2/7qh7h8h05vr4zrtz/aHR0cHM6Ly9lbi53aWtpcGVkaWEub3JnL3dpa2kvUmljaGFyZF9GZXlubWFu>,
theoretical physicist and recipient of the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1965


On Fri, 11 Aug 2023 at 16:49, Diane Disbro via Evergreen-general <
evergreen-general at list.evergreen-ils.org> wrote:

> Ideas needed!
>
> 1. Do you know if anyone is developing a simple computer that libraries
> can make available to patrons who have no idea how to use a standard
> computer?
>
> 2. What help do you offer to patrons who have no idea how to use a
> computer? Computer classes are nice but don't meet the needs of the patron
> who came to us recently, crying, wanting to send money to her daughter who
> is in prison. Do you allow staff to fill out forms with personal and bank
> information? Do you allow staff to handle patron phones to print
> wirelessly? Or do you advise the patron to bring someone with them who can
> take care of the personal business?
>
> Thank you.
> Diane Disbro
> Pronouns: she/her
> Circulation and Special Projects Coordinator
> Scenic Regional Library
> 251 Union Plaza Drive
> Union, MO 63084
> (636) 583-0652 ext  110
> ddisbro at scenicregional.org
>
> _______________________________________________
> Evergreen-general mailing list
> Evergreen-general at list.evergreen-ils.org
> http://list.evergreen-ils.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/evergreen-general
>
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://list.evergreen-ils.org/pipermail/evergreen-general/attachments/20230821/e7dffd36/attachment.htm>