Goal 3:  The library is a leader in providing Durham's residents with information technology resources needed for academic and business success and for social networking and leisure activities.

3.1:  By 6/30/09, average computer wait time will have been reduced to 10 minutes.

What are some strategies we have for this?

A.      Assess need for and recommend acquisition of additional PCs.

B.       Implement wireless in all facilities.

C.       Put in place laptop checkout service and procedures.

D.      Evaluate bandwidth and increase bandwidth if needed

E.   Increase use of staff management consoles

What are we working on?

• In a week, a survey will go out to all library branches.  Staff will track the wait times on the computers over time.  This will help us determine where more computers (express or regular) are needed. *update*  Our survey is out and we are getting results.  As soon as I have the results compiled, I will post them to this wiki.  *update* The surveys produced mixed results.  Some branches handed in complete survey results and others only put wait times down for their busy times.  Because of this, we are going to run it again.  We need accurate results before we can really assess how many more computers we need.

   

•  Jennifer will ask the people on PubLib if they have done laptop check out and how it has worked.  We will also work on a survey to assess our customers satisfaction with the computers we provide in the libraries.  This will help us evaluate whether we need to pay for more bandwidth in the library.  *update*  Jennifer is not able to post to PubLib and trying to work out the problems of why.  More information on the laptop check out coming soon.
• SMG fiberoptic cables are going to be put into Main Library soon.  That should help with the computer slowness that has been plagueing the public computers.

What has been working great for us?

• The library's IT staff set up four Internet-express computer stations on the second floor of the Main Library.  These stations are limited to 15-minutes each and they are standing only.  As a consequence, the library lost 3 catalog computers.  We are currently looking into where more catalog computers could go on the second floor.  Also, we don't think this has completly cut down on the wait time, but it has helped ease staff and customer frustration when someone just needs to check their email quickly, print out one document, etc.
• The plans for the new Main Library currently include 158 new public computers.  The new Regional Libraries currently being built will include 30 computer each.
• Main, North, East, and Warren all now have wireless.  It will be the new Regionals being built.

Questions?  Comments?  Please contact one of the Goal Champions for Goal 3:  Aftab Ahmed and Jennifer Lohmann.