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have you used a public computer?

30 Nov 2007 - 9:05am | Sarah Washburn
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I just read a terrific post on a blog called Library Chicken. This particular librarian was using the public computers for "2.0 learning" and learned more than she bargained for...

Turns out that there were some bugs in the configuration of the public computers--errors appeared and programs didn't work as she expected them to.

She admitted that this is valuable information, even called it "enlightening" to work on the public computers. I'd say that this is a revelation--think of all the opportunities!

  1. using the computers and finding bugs can inform changes to the computers to make them more user-friendly and usable for patrons
  2. staff using the computers helps them understand the issues patrons may face
  3. this could be a training opportunity: staff can spend time using the computers, and learn more about the programs that patrons use.

I wonder if other libraries have "public computer" time for their staff?

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