LISTSERV mailing list manager LISTSERV 16.5

Help for CODE4LIB Archives


CODE4LIB Archives

CODE4LIB Archives


CODE4LIB@LISTS.CLIR.ORG


View:

Message:

[

First

|

Previous

|

Next

|

Last

]

By Topic:

[

First

|

Previous

|

Next

|

Last

]

By Author:

[

First

|

Previous

|

Next

|

Last

]

Font:

Proportional Font

LISTSERV Archives

LISTSERV Archives

CODE4LIB Home

CODE4LIB Home

CODE4LIB  October 2011

CODE4LIB October 2011

Subject:

Re: Can a library automate without a computer yet?

From:

rowan eisner <[log in to unmask]>

Reply-To:

Code for Libraries <[log in to unmask]>

Date:

Fri, 7 Oct 2011 09:41:45 -0600

Content-Type:

text/plain

Parts/Attachments:

Parts/Attachments

text/plain (449 lines)

Hi Nicole, people here tell me that computers get zapped even with surge
protectors here, or even with lightning protectors. Then someone told me the
other day that they need to be properly earthed and almost nothing is here.
One problem is I don't even know if there is such a thing as a real
electrician here who understands how do do these things.

At the moment we're looking at the WSSL trial because it would be a big
overhead to us to run our own software when we know nothing about it, but
we'll still need something to connect to it. I'm thinking that we cut our
losses by doing it as cheaply as possible and accept that that we'll lose it
occasionally - make it less worth stealing. The library is open and
unstaffed 24hrs and people say nothing keeps thieves out. But Dave Mayo
pointed out you can get a kind of computer in a power plug now. Or we could
use an iphone. Then they could be plugged into an UPS and charged once a
week. That could work. We'd still need a cage and I don't really want to
encourage thieves to bring welding gear into the library!

I don't know if we're going to be able to afford the WSSL system. They don't
know how much it will cost yet. So we could end up having to run our own
system anyway. Even the WSSL system is more sophisticated than we need. We
don't need a web site or to be able to place holds on books. All we really
need is a db with 2 tables - users and collection and queries to do loans,
returns and overdues. Hey, I could write it! But surely I don't have to.

If we went with your suggestion, what software would you suggest?

Thanks
Rowan

On 7 October 2011 08:45, Nicole Miller <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> Rowan, you mentioned that a computer might be stolen or fried by lightning.
> The more I read, the more I think a computer is the way to go, at the very
> least to set up the database. Is there a way you can use surge protectors
> and create a cage to go around the computer with it's scanner?
>
> Nicole
> MLS Student
> Southern Connecticut State University
>
> On Tue, Sep 27, 2011 at 11:50 AM, rowan eisner <[log in to unmask]
> >wrote:
>
> > Yes, I'm betting WSSL will be what we're looking for. It's whether we can
> > afford it and whether we can set up a secure self check point in an
> > unstaffed library that doesn't have to be plugged into power.
> >
> > Thanks Cary
> >
> > On 27 September 2011 07:51, Cary Gordon <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> >
> > > I'll bet that WSSL has a report generator that, while not necessarily
> > > better than the eight of you, will allow you to more easily get
> > > information about what your patrons are doing.
> > >
> > > Cary
> > >
> > > On Mon, Sep 26, 2011 at 11:33 AM, rowan eisner <[log in to unmask]>
> > > wrote:
> > > > Wow, that's amazing. That certainly opens up possibilities. It would
> be
> > > > quite a challenge to get it all working buy they reckon it takes 3
> > years
> > > to
> > > > barcode the books anyway, so it might keep me busy trying to figure
> it
> > > out.
> > > >
> > > > I signed up for WSSL and just said I was in Philadelphia and emailed
> > them
> > > > and it does look like a possibility if we can afford it. Maybe the
> > could
> > > > license it out to a developing country to run it for the 3rd world at
> a
> > > > tenth of the cost!
> > > >
> > > > Thanks so much for all your help. I've called a committee meeting
> this
> > > > afternoon. The librarian is very resistant to automating and is
> highly
> > > > skeptical that it can be made to work here. In the mean time eight of
> > us
> > > sit
> > > > around on a monday afternoon being computers, just as they have for
> the
> > > last
> > > > 60 years!
> > > >
> > > > Cheers
> > > > Rowan
> > > > On 26 September 2011 09:43, David Mayo <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> > > >
> > > >> Here's an example of the kind of thing I'm talking about when I say
> > > >> "micro-development board":
> > > >>
> > > >>
> > >
> >
> http://technabob.com/blog/2011/02/03/dreamplug-mini-power-plug-computer/This
> > > >> isn't the best example - it's obviously being sold to a certain
> extent
> > > >> as novelty hardware, and it shows, but something like this could
> work
> > > >> fairly
> > > >> well as a web server for the area.
> > > >>
> > > >> You can actually get substantially cheaper than this, if you're
> > willing
> > > to
> > > >> do some digging and/or do some component assembly - although, of
> > course,
> > > >> then your mailing expenses might rise.  It won't solve the lightning
> > > >> problem
> > > >> (which is fascinating/terrifying to me - outlet to device arcing is
> > > >> freaky!), but many of the small linux single-board computers are low
> > > enough
> > > >> power draw that an APC or other battery solution could run them for
> a
> > > long
> > > >> time off of wall power; you'd need someone to unplug it when the
> storm
> > > was
> > > >> coming, but that's going to be true of the iPhone, too, likely.
> > > >>
> > > >> If you were able to find or build the right software, I could see
> > > something
> > > >> like this working as a server, with an iPod touch serving as the
> > > scanner,
> > > >> for example.  You could also (if you got one with a video output)
> > attach
> > > a
> > > >> scanner via USB, and use it for both check-in and check-out.
> > > >>
> > > >> If you do go the iDevice route (or Android, etc), you might be able
> to
> > > get
> > > >> away without a physical scanner attached - there are several apps
> that
> > > do
> > > >> barcode recognition through the devices' cameras.
> > > >>
> > > >> Hope at least some of this is helpful.
> > > >>
> > > >> - Dave
> > > >>
> > > >> On Mon, Sep 26, 2011 at 10:24 AM, Roy Tennant <[log in to unmask]
> >
> > > >> wrote:
> > > >>
> > > >> > From the person in a position to know: "We have not yet figured
> out
> > > >> > pricing.  We are definitely considering the needs of the
> developing
> > > >> > nations but don't have answers yet.  At this point we are most
> > focused
> > > >> > on the feature set that can be activated with no human
> intervention.
> > > >> > Looking for the intersection of the basic need and most
> automatable
> > > >> > (that probably is not a word)."
> > > >> > Roy
> > > >> >
> > > >> > On Sun, Sep 25, 2011 at 3:14 PM, rowan eisner <
> > [log in to unmask]>
> > > >> > wrote:
> > > >> > > Ok, I tried to sign up for WSSL and you have to be in US. Also,
> if
> > > it
> > > >> > will
> > > >> > > cost 'a cup of coffee a day' am I right that would be at least
> > $700
> > > a
> > > >> > year?
> > > >> > > That's our entire annual budget. So probably only for first
> world
> > > >> > countries
> > > >> > > anyway. And you're meant to have one or two full-time staff
> which
> > we
> > > >> > don't
> > > >> > > have. Still, I'll email them and see what they say. There are
> > > probably
> > > >> > 1000s
> > > >> > > of 3rd world libraries doing everything manually still and if
> > there
> > > are
> > > >> > > economies of scale we may be able to afford it.
> > > >> > >
> > > >> > > Cheers
> > > >> > > Rowan
> > > >> > >
> > > >> > > On 24 September 2011 17:10, David Mayo <[log in to unmask]>
> wrote:
> > > >> > >
> > > >> > >> It's so experimental, that it's having a Free *Trail*.
> > > >> > >>
> > > >> > >> That is a good suggestion, by the way - I'm just amused by the
> > > typo.
> > > >>  It
> > > >> > >> appears twice on this page, once on the sign-up page, and
> perhaps
> > > >> > >> elsewhere.  Also, "absolutely" is misspelled as "absolutley" on
> > the
> > > >> > sign-up
> > > >> > >> page.
> > > >> > >>
> > > >> > >> - Dave Mayo
> > > >> > >>
> > > >> > >> On Sat, Sep 24, 2011 at 6:45 PM, Roy Tennant <
> > [log in to unmask]
> > > >
> > > >> > wrote:
> > > >> > >>
> > > >> > >> > Actually, I have an even better option from OCLC:
> > > >> > >> >
> > > >> > >> > Web Site for Small Libraries (WSSL)
> > > >> > >> > http://experimental.worldcat.org/lib/
> > > >> > >> >
> > > >> > >> > It is really aimed at very small libraries, so it is very
> easy
> > to
> > > >> use
> > > >> > >> > but still has some basic circulation capabilities. It's in
> free
> > > >> trial
> > > >> > >> > mode now, so take a look and see if it does what you need.
> > > >> > >> > Roy Tennant
> > > >> > >> > OCLC Research
> > > >> > >> >
> > > >> > >> > On Sat, Sep 24, 2011 at 12:22 AM, JONATHAN LEBRETON <
> > > >> > [log in to unmask]
> > > >> > >> >
> > > >> > >> > wrote:
> > > >> > >> > > You may be able to do something with OCLCs so-called Web
> > > >> Management
> > > >> > >> > System whereby your OPAC (in the form of WorldCat local.)
>  and
> > > circ
> > > >> > >> > functions are in the cloud..
> > > >> > >> > >
> > > >> > >> > >
> > > >> > >> > >
> > > >> > >> > > Jonathan LeBreton
> > > >> > >> > > Senior Associate University Librarian
> > > >> > >> > > Temple University Libraries
> > > >> > >> > > Philadelphia PA 19122
> > > >> > >> > > Voice: 215-204-3184
> > > >> > >> > > Fax: 215-204-5201
> > > >> > >> > > Mobile: 215-284-5070
> > > >> > >> > > [log in to unmask]
> > > >> > >> > > [log in to unmask]
> > > >> > >> > >
> > > >> > >> > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > >> > >> > > From: rowan eisner [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> > > >> > >> > > Sent: Friday, September 23, 2011 11:51 PM
> > > >> > >> > > To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
> > > >> > >> > > Subject: Re: [CODE4LIB] Can a library automate without a
> > > computer
> > > >> > yet?
> > > >> > >> > >
> > > >> > >> > > Hi Dave
> > > >> > >> > >
> > > >> > >> > > It's an honesty system, card based, the way most community
> > > >> libraries
> > > >> > >> used
> > > >> > >> > to
> > > >> > >> > > work before computers. Because it's unstaffed about 15% of
> > > books
> > > >> > aren't
> > > >> > >> > > returned but we get a similar amount of donations. So we
> have
> > > that
> > > >> > >> > constant
> > > >> > >> > > churn to take in and out of a card catalog manually.
> > > >> > >> > >
> > > >> > >> > > We need borrowers to be able to check out books. I was
> > thinking
> > > >> > maybe
> > > >> > >> > with a
> > > >> > >> > > scanner attached to an iphone running an app. I didn't
> think
> > > >> > >> librarything
> > > >> > >> > > could do circulation. I thought it was just a catalog.
> > > >> > >> > >
> > > >> > >> > > What do you reckon?
> > > >> > >> > >
> > > >> > >> > > Cheers
> > > >> > >> > > Rowan
> > > >> > >> > >
> > > >> > >> > > On 23 September 2011 21:34, David Mayo <[log in to unmask]>
> > > wrote:
> > > >> > >> > >
> > > >> > >> > >> I think it's going to be difficult to find a solution
> that's
> > > >> > entirely
> > > >> > >> > cloud
> > > >> > >> > >> based.
> > > >> > >> > >>
> > > >> > >> > >> What functionality do you need? If you have a very limited
> > > subset
> > > >> > of
> > > >> > >> > >> ILS/OPAC functions in mind, theoretically a LibraryThing
> > paid
> > > >> > account
> > > >> > >> or
> > > >> > >> > >> similar quasi-library service might suffice.
> > > >> > >> > >>
> > > >> > >> > >> I'm having trouble understanding how circulation works/is
> > > >> expected
> > > >> > to
> > > >> > >> > work
> > > >> > >> > >> when librarians aren't present.  Is there a sign-out
> sheet?
> > >  How
> > > >> do
> > > >> > >> you
> > > >> > >> > >> monitor for lossage?
> > > >> > >> > >>
> > > >> > >> > >> - Dave Mayo
> > > >> > >> > >>
> > > >> > >> > >> On Fri, Sep 23, 2011 at 10:42 PM, rowan eisner <
> > > >> > [log in to unmask]
> > > >> > >> > >> >wrote:
> > > >> > >> > >>
> > > >> > >> > >> > Thanks Esme
> > > >> > >> > >> >
> > > >> > >> > >> > No, the library is open all hours but volunteers just
> come
> > > in 2
> > > >> > hrs
> > > >> > >> a
> > > >> > >> > >> week.
> > > >> > >> > >> > I'm not sure how it could work but if we leave anything
> > > plugged
> > > >> > in
> > > >> > >> it
> > > >> > >> > >> will
> > > >> > >> > >> > get stolen or struck by lightning. We're in cloud
> forest.
> > > >> > >> > >> >
> > > >> > >> > >> > With koha and open-ils do we have to run the software on
> a
> > > >> server
> > > >> > or
> > > >> > >> > do
> > > >> > >> > >> we
> > > >> > >> > >> > just get an account on an existing system? Running a
> > system
> > > >> > >> ourselves
> > > >> > >> > >> might
> > > >> > >> > >> > take a lot for us to figure out.
> > > >> > >> > >> >
> > > >> > >> > >> > Cheers
> > > >> > >> > >> > Rowan
> > > >> > >> > >> >
> > > >> > >> > >> > On 23 September 2011 16:38, Cowles, Esme <
> > [log in to unmask]
> > > >
> > > >> > wrote:
> > > >> > >> > >> >
> > > >> > >> > >> > > Rowan-
> > > >> > >> > >> > >
> > > >> > >> > >> > > Having a hosted catalog and circ system seems very
> easy
> > to
> > > >> do.
> > > >> > >> >  There
> > > >> > >> > >> are
> > > >> > >> > >> > > several open source library systems such as Koha and
> > > >> Evergreen
> > > >> > >> that
> > > >> > >> > >> might
> > > >> > >> > >> > > suit your needs:
> > > >> > >> > >> > >
> > > >> > >> > >> > > http://www.koha.org/
> > > >> > >> > >> > >
> > > >> > >> > >> > > http://open-ils.org/
> > > >> > >> > >> > >
> > > >> > >> > >> > > Are there volunteers present the entire time the
> library
> > > is
> > > >> > open
> > > >> > >> to
> > > >> > >> > >> > > borrowers?  Or are you counting on borrowers having
> > > >> smartphones
> > > >> > to
> > > >> > >> > >> > complete
> > > >> > >> > >> > > self-checkout?
> > > >> > >> > >> > >
> > > >> > >> > >> > > -Esme
> > > >> > >> > >> > > --
> > > >> > >> > >> > > Esme Cowles <[log in to unmask]>
> > > >> > >> > >> > >
> > > >> > >> > >> > > "I don't need to be forgiven." -- The Who, Baba
> O'Reilly
> > > >> > >> > >> > >
> > > >> > >> > >> > > On Sep 23, 2011, at 3:27 PM, rowan eisner wrote:
> > > >> > >> > >> > >
> > > >> > >> > >> > > > Apologies if this is the wrong forum, but if anyone
> > can
> > > >> point
> > > >> > me
> > > >> > >> > in
> > > >> > >> > >> the
> > > >> > >> > >> > > > right direction...
> > > >> > >> > >> > > >
> > > >> > >> > >> > > > We have an unstaffed library and can't leave a
> > computer
> > > in
> > > >> > it.
> > > >> > >> Is
> > > >> > >> > >> there
> > > >> > >> > >> > a
> > > >> > >> > >> > > > way to automate
> > > >> > >> > >> > > >
> > > >> > >> > >> > > > 1) with no computer - do circulation and catalog in
> > the
> > > >> > cloud.
> > > >> > >> > >> > Volunteers
> > > >> > >> > >> > > > bring in laptops to do circulation and clients
> access
> > > >> catalog
> > > >> > >> with
> > > >> > >> > >> > > iphones
> > > >> > >> > >> > > > 2) that doesn't cost a fortune
> > > >> > >> > >> > > >
> > > >> > >> > >> > > > Thanks so much
> > > >> > >> > >> > > >
> > > >> > >> > >> > > > Rowan
> > > >> > >> > >> > >
> > > >> > >> > >> >
> > > >> > >> > >>
> > > >> > >> > >
> > > >> > >> >
> > > >> > >>
> > > >> > >
> > > >> >
> > > >>
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > --
> > > Cary Gordon
> > > The Cherry Hill Company
> > > http://chillco.com
> > >
> >
>

Top of Message | Previous Page | Permalink

Advanced Options


Options

Log In

Log In

Get Password

Get Password


Search Archives

Search Archives


Subscribe or Unsubscribe

Subscribe or Unsubscribe


Archives

March 2024
February 2024
January 2024
December 2023
November 2023
October 2023
September 2023
August 2023
July 2023
June 2023
May 2023
April 2023
March 2023
February 2023
January 2023
December 2022
November 2022
October 2022
September 2022
August 2022
July 2022
June 2022
May 2022
April 2022
March 2022
February 2022
January 2022
December 2021
November 2021
October 2021
September 2021
August 2021
July 2021
June 2021
May 2021
April 2021
March 2021
February 2021
January 2021
December 2020
November 2020
October 2020
September 2020
August 2020
July 2020
June 2020
May 2020
April 2020
March 2020
February 2020
January 2020
December 2019
November 2019
October 2019
September 2019
August 2019
July 2019
June 2019
May 2019
April 2019
March 2019
February 2019
January 2019
December 2018
November 2018
October 2018
September 2018
August 2018
July 2018
June 2018
May 2018
April 2018
March 2018
February 2018
January 2018
December 2017
November 2017
October 2017
September 2017
August 2017
July 2017
June 2017
May 2017
April 2017
March 2017
February 2017
January 2017
December 2016
November 2016
October 2016
September 2016
August 2016
July 2016
June 2016
May 2016
April 2016
March 2016
February 2016
January 2016
December 2015
November 2015
October 2015
September 2015
August 2015
July 2015
June 2015
May 2015
April 2015
March 2015
February 2015
January 2015
December 2014
November 2014
October 2014
September 2014
August 2014
July 2014
June 2014
May 2014
April 2014
March 2014
February 2014
January 2014
December 2013
November 2013
October 2013
September 2013
August 2013
July 2013
June 2013
May 2013
April 2013
March 2013
February 2013
January 2013
December 2012
November 2012
October 2012
September 2012
August 2012
July 2012
June 2012
May 2012
April 2012
March 2012
February 2012
January 2012
December 2011
November 2011
October 2011
September 2011
August 2011
July 2011
June 2011
May 2011
April 2011
March 2011
February 2011
January 2011
December 2010
November 2010
October 2010
September 2010
August 2010
July 2010
June 2010
May 2010
April 2010
March 2010
February 2010
January 2010
December 2009
November 2009
October 2009
September 2009
August 2009
July 2009
June 2009
May 2009
April 2009
March 2009
February 2009
January 2009
December 2008
November 2008
October 2008
September 2008
August 2008
July 2008
June 2008
May 2008
April 2008
March 2008
February 2008
January 2008
December 2007
November 2007
October 2007
September 2007
August 2007
July 2007
June 2007
May 2007
April 2007
March 2007
February 2007
January 2007
December 2006
November 2006
October 2006
September 2006
August 2006
July 2006
June 2006
May 2006
April 2006
March 2006
February 2006
January 2006
December 2005
November 2005
October 2005
September 2005
August 2005
July 2005
June 2005
May 2005
April 2005
March 2005
February 2005
January 2005
December 2004
November 2004
October 2004
September 2004
August 2004
July 2004
June 2004
May 2004
April 2004
March 2004
February 2004
January 2004
December 2003
November 2003

ATOM RSS1 RSS2



LISTS.CLIR.ORG

CataList Email List Search Powered by the LISTSERV Email List Manager