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thanks jessamyn! i’m busy taking photos of more valentines this morning. i’ve lost count, but i think we’re getting close to 400. that’s already 2% of pinole residents. the link you provided to our website is through the city of Pinole, the library itself provides this page: http://ccclib.org/locations/pinole.html

Hi,

Glad you liked this image from the Gottscho-Schleisner Collection in American Memory.

The url you have for the image is a temporary one. Correct one is
. It does appear according to the Rights and Restrictions statement

the collection may be in the public domain. You might want to suggest to the staff in Prints and Photographs that this might be an interesting collection to add to the Flickr photostream.

FYI if you want to know how to locate permanent url’s for individual items on American Memory or the Prints and Photographs online catalog you may want to look at

Hope this is helpful.

Hi Danna, thanks for the comment. I updated the link and I’ll drop a nice note to the folks from Prints. Not sure why the links didn’t work in your comment.

[...] here to read the rest: librarian.net » Blog Archive » public library photos and reminiscences By admin | category: library public | tags: cambridge, did-not, fiction-books, importance, [...]

[...] [librarian.net] Hinterlasse einen [...]

I am surprised that the architect would be the one worried about pictures being taken for commercial purposes. That seems like a strange reason to have that policy in place. It is a public building. If I was an architect I would want people to take pictures to show of my fabulous designs.

Newly-constructed buildings can indeed be copyrighted, but I’d bet that nearly everyone who takes a picture of the building is not intending to use it for commercial use or any other way that would infringe upon an architectural copyright. Seems like they’re using a howitzer to kill flies here.

I always wonder about these kinds of policies. It seems to me that you would want people photographing your library. Especially when so many people use Flickr, Dailybooth, or Brightkite or other websites that allow them to post pictures about where they are at that moment. I would think it was a free marketing resource for the library. I hope tons of people are taking pictures of my library with a twitter update that just says something as simple as “at the library.” What a great opportunity! Oh well… Architects…

That is a really weird and unfriendly policy.

IMO, a building paid for by tax dollars should be open season as far as photographs and copyright go. Maybe that’s just me.

I’m just glad they didn’t try to cite security concerns…

Just think of all the photos of the exterior & interior of Rem Koolhaas’s downtown Seattle Public Library – why would an architect not want that? Also the prohibition on photos that include signage for the library seems extra-strange to me. If they were smart they’d put their own set of photos up on Flickr and release them under Creative Commons for non-commercial purposes, and invite others to submit their own photos to add to the set. (I’m thinking of the Ann Arbor District Library’s site with its submit-your-photos-of-Ann-Arbor feature.) Voila, free marketing photos for the library!

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by jessamyn west, qadmon_rss and Roy Kenagy, Adam Burke. Adam Burke said: My [exp]. with the Des Moines [PL's] "no photography allowed" policy http://bit.ly/30qVpI (via @jessamyn) –> Sigh. Heavier Sigh… [...]

From what I’ve found, while copyright law does protect architectural plans, drawings, and models, it does not prohibit photographs. According to the US Code, Title 17, section 120: “(a) Pictorial Representations Permitted.— The copyright in an architectural work that has been constructed does not include the right to prevent the making, distributing, or public display of pictures, paintings, photographs, or other pictorial representations of the work, if the building in which the work is embodied is located in or ordinarily visible from a public place.”

But someone please correct me if this is incorrect.

The library system that I work for also has a no-photo policy – for privacy reasons. I don’t think it’s weird at all. The couple of times I’ve stopped folks from taking pictures, they were doing it in order to harass other patrons. Not okay. Patrons should have a reasonable expectation of privacy within the library.

I am so sorry that this is the memory you will ultimately take away from your time with librarians in Iowa. I really enjoyed hearing you speak at ILA! What struck me about the ‘09 ILA conference is that librarians in Iowa do seem very polarized between openness and fear of openness; maybe this is the case with librarians everywhere, but it struck me especially at ILA this year.

I consider my public library (also in Iowa) to be very “forward thinking” (we just established our “Emerging Technologies Committee” and we’re starting to circulate eBooks via Overdrive!) but it’s seems like we’re still always running up against obstacles because we’re not sure what the law dictates or what our liabilities will be. It seems like a national crisis that extends beyond librarianship — a lot of people seem really confused about how to react to strict IP controls like the DMCA, copyright extension, etc.

As with the other commenters, I was taken aback by the architect’s concerns. Since when does the architect get to set library policy with regards to how the library markets and promotes itself?

My library also has a “no photograhy without management permission” for privacy purposes (note to self: on Monday, double check to see if it’s on our web site). There was an incident a few years ago which prompted it. If we know someone is taking pictures for a reason, we ask that they have anyone in the pictures sign release forms; if it’s for personal use, we ask that they try not to get any members of the staff or public in the shot.

[...] Original post by librarian.net [...]

I used to be that “someone at the desk” that you (rather dismissively imo) refer to. It’s quite possible of course that he/she used a rude tone of voice that caused you to make the ‘rude staff person’ judgment, and fairly so. However, the actual words you quoted that person as saying do not seem that rude to me. That staff member was just following policy, a policy that they clearly did not set but have been asked to follow, and make sure that patrons follow. Not all staff members at all libraries are allowed to contribute at all levels, many are in the position of simply doing what they are told. All staff members at my former POW were required to refer requests for information and photos to the PR director. Sad, silly, not very welcoming, but not a decision we were allowed to question. And there just isn’t a friendly, welcoming way to say “you can’t do that here”.

Dawn,

The way I understand it, if the photo is for personal or editorial purposes, you’re okay. But you couldn’t take a photo of a copyrighted piece of architecture to sell it commercially or use it in advertising.

(But I am not a lawyer!)

I enjoyed your presentation on “Tiny Tech” at the ILA conference and found this post via Twitter.

Just wanted to share my own story about photography at the library.

I volunteered for about 6 months with the Children’s Department at the Central LIbrary in Des Moines, and everyone I met was extremely friendly and helpful. One day, I was assigned to photograph different parts of the library (the stairs, the computer stations, the self checks, etc.) for a children’s activity. I had been taking pictures for about half an hour without any problems, when an employee came up to me and told me I was violating the photography policy.

I hate to use the word “rude”, but that was about the only word to describe her behavior. It wasn’t just what she said, but her body language and attitude that immediately made me feel uncomfortable. Even after explaining I was taking the pictures FOR a library program, she still made me feel like a student in detention by calling the librarian who asked me to take the pictures to check to make sure I was telling the truth. It was bizarre, and I remember walking back to the children’s department with an uneasy feeling, like I’d done something terribly wrong. The librarians laughed at me and kind of shrugged it off as just another policy. It was funny to me at the time, but after reading your post, it reminded me of my own experience, which I just wrote off as someone having a bad day and taking it out on me.

The building is so unique and beautiful, and it’s sad that policy can get in the way of people sharing with others.

Thanks for coming to Iowa, and I’m sorry your trip to the Central Library wasn’t the greatest, because it truly is a great library.

As an architect myself, I have to say that architect David Chipperfield’s request is completely ridiculous. His commission was no doubt paid by the taxpayers and public of Des Moines, and it is precisely this public that should have to right to photograph the building. Libraries by mission are dedicated to the public dissemination of knowledge – if an architect finds that inconvenient, they should probably be looking for another project.

I’m an architect as well, and I’ve worked on projects where something like this happens. Usually it’s a building that is designed by a marquee architect like Mr. Chipperfield. Goes like this:

1. Somewhere in the contract is a clause that limits commercial photography. Many architecture magazines will not publish a building that has had any prior coverage (including ads) so it’s basically for that purpose.

2. Maybe the PR department is very diligent, or maybe this gets mentioned in an architect-client communication. In any case the idea that photography is bad is reinforced.

3. This idea gets handed down the the staff in a simple declaration that no photography is allowed. Period. In addition, perhaps some staffers see this as a way to further their control over patrons, or maybe they’re just very literal minded.

In fact, the original document limits that control to commercial photography, which should be easy to spot as distinct from a patron snapping pictures. My guess is that the architect will be as surprised (if not necessarily disappointed) that this happened as you were.

This is a public space we’re talking about, paid for with tax revenues to be used by the public.

I could see restricting photography to protect patron privacy, but not the building. If this was indeed started back when the building was new, it needs to be revisited and revised.

As a director, my question would be, why is my staff responsible for policing photographers on the architect’s behalf? Esp. years later?

I’m sure DSM staff would appreciate having some sort of printed policy they could point to to explain the restrictions. Expecting staff to come to their own conclusions about a verbal-only policy is the best way to create confusion and bad feelings.

The only reason I said “someone at the desk” is because I have no idea if I was talking to a librarian, a circulation clerk or a volunteer and I didn’t want to make assumptions.

I think there are actually a lot of decent ways to tell people they can’t do something in pleasant and (if needed) apologetic tones. I hadn’t seen a sign and I walked into the library and immediately felt like I’d done something wrong. I’m a rule follower generally so this made me feel bad. I was pleased with the follow-up from the library but to my mind if you have a policy that is that important, it’s a good idea to have signage right up front to match it.

It’s not fair for front desk staff to be the people that have to tell everyone in the new architectural model library to put their cameras away. It’s awkard for them and awkward for me.

(I am not a lawyer) But a quick skim on the web as well as what I recall from my Professional Practice class and the AIA contract documents and Code of Ethics both lead me to believe that while the building itself may be copywright-able, that does not prevent individuals from taking photographs of it if done so in or from a public place. Given that this is a public library, it seems like the desire to limit photography is futile and doesn’t hold water.

[...] Public Library needs help and good thoughts [web link]librarian.net (05/Aug/2009)“…i was following the louisville free public_library [...]

thanks for posting this–it is my hometown library

[...] Public Library needs help and good thoughts [web link]librarian.net (05/Aug/2009)“…louisville free public_library disaster flooding yesterday [...]

Another tempest in a teapot. Those parents mounting the censorship campaign in West Bend, WI should realize that what they are doing is the best advertising there is as far as getting kids to read certain books. Moving them to the adult section and labeling them as “sexually explicit” would simply make them easier for the kids to find. The West Bend library should see a significant increase in teenage circulations this summer.

Good blog post.

[...] Book burning threat makes headline in WI dispute [...]

[...] by Rachel on July 24, 2009 Selection inspired by this in conjunction with the libraries mention in the [...]

Reminds me of the Tin Drum fight in OKC several years ago. I agree with Linda, all this does is attrack those with pruient interests.

in high school, i read baby be-bop as well as many other francesca lia block books. in fact, i recall giving a copy of baby be-bop to a friend who was struggling with his sexuality at the time. he later thanked me and said that the book helped him a lot. while any suggestion of book burning is offensive, this one hit home especially hard for me. books like these help kids deal with things they might not be comfortable talking about and it is essential that they remain available in libraries.

Sigh. It’s incredibly depressing that 221 years after the ratification of the Constitution some people still don’t understand the First Amendment.

I’m always bemused by this sort of thing. What these people don’t seem to understand is that you get the society you create. If people insist on creating endless rules and regulations, in the end you are going to end up with a very strict society.

Sounds like a pretty typical library visit, based on libraries I know here in Maine. Either there’s not enough staff, and/or they’re not well organized or customer-service oriented enough, and patrons/customers/visitors/the public end up feeling less than enthusiastic about another trip to the library. In this case, it just sounds like one staff member (the one who helped your dad) may be an overfunctioner while the rest of the staff under-functions. That seems a pretty common dynamic at many workplaces.

As you say, no reason to shame anyone, or even blame. Even in a library where everyone is doing their best, patrons may end up feeling awkward, uncomfortable, confused, etc., as they might when walking into a church, a train station, a gym, or any new place where activity that doesn’t necessarily involve them is taking place.

It’s hard to think of what could improve the situation, other than hiring and training staff who are motivated to serve people, and then giving them time and space to do it. Do libraries employ mystery shoppers, as some stores, banks, hospitals and restaurants do? Even to have a few people do it informally on a volunteer basis every now and then might provide some insight into what’s preventing the library from being a welcoming as it could be …. This only matters if staff regard it as a priority to /be/ welcoming, to /serve/ customers.

My own experience at my current public library is that there is one staff member who always makes me feel welcome — she remembers my name, she smiles, she occasionally makes smalltalk, she is efficient and seems to handle multiple circulation desk tasks gracefully. There is another staff member at the circulation desk who always makes me feel unwelcome and I try to avoid her — she is perennially grumpy, doesn’t make eye contact, barks for my card and if I don’t have it gives me a punishing look, etc. (The worst is she sometimes seems friendly to other people! Why does she hate me??) The rest of the staff are somewhere in the middle, with most lacking strong interpersonal skills.

I hear you and cringed through most of the article. Yes, exactly. While we cannot be everything to everyone, we can at least be a little more welcoming to people checking us out for the first time. I’m happy to say we have streamlined our new card procedures, but we have done little to prepare welcoming materials. I have a sneaking suspicion that to look at the services we offer and describe them for a new patron would lead to some heavy sighs about how we used to do more…before the cuts and the layoffs. Yet, new cardholders represent new supporters, new allies, new possibilities, and a chance to reinvigorate, rather than continue whamming one’s head against the old walls. Not to mention my library has a history of ‘poor’ service in the community that we have made huge efforts in reversing the poor practices of previous administrations. Thanks for the inspiration, I think I just found my summer project.

Is it a sign of the times that I thought your experience didn’t seem that bad? That’s exactly what it’s like at my local library; a few busy staff are trying to help lots of people — they do end up helping everyone, but are maybe not so wonderfully disposed while doing it. Maybe I’m ok with it because I seem to be more of a DIY user of the library.

Um, it’s totally the library’s job. And the most important one we do in my opinion!”

RE: “I’m aware that it’s not the library’s job to make all sorts of different people feel like it’s their very own place and cater to their every need and personality tic, but then again it sort of is, isn’t it? I’ll be thinking about this some more while I think about how my library welcomes new people to the community.”

Do let us know what you think, Jessamyn!

This is a great time for my stump speech on “librarians(library staff)don’t use libraries” other than their own, where they know all the rules, don’t need signs to show where the restrooms, new books, browsing (what’s browsing?)collections, whatever are, know to “interrupt” a reference librarian for help, are familiar with the catalog, book locations, and so on and so don’t even realize what they need to do to seem welcoming and easy-to-use because they know the library and so, of course, everyone does. I am sure the library person at this library thought it was all so clear to your dad (and I know my dad would never return after an experience like this; I think he was frightened by a librarian in his youth) and that she was helping him. Not sure how useful getting an email *after* I left the library would be, especially without any indication it would be coming with that welcome info. End of rant.

And I do think it is the library’s job to make all sorts of people welcome and able to find what they need. You don’t have to cater to every personality tic, just acknowledge that not everyone is like you, may need some explanation, and be pleasant.

Hope your dad does return to the library!

Your dad is BRILLIANT! I spent five minutes on the phone arguing with an Abercrombie and Fitch employee last week about a manager that gave one of my patrons an email address at abercrombie&fitch.com to send her resume to and the idiot didn’t understand what an ampersand is, or why he should give the correct e-mail address to a woman who aready had an in-store interview and was asked to e-mail her resume. All he could repeat was “we don’t hire night shift online, she has to come into the store”.

Also, we wear nametags, but many people have told me they’re afraid of stalkers if they do. I’d rather have my title and not my name, but it’s an ID card where neither are visible if you’re not paying attention.

Thanks for sharing your experience. As a librarian, I always find it a real treat to visit other libraries and be a patron. It’s easy to forget how some of our less library savvy visitors might view the experience. I will certainly be making some changes!

I love posts like this, because it gives me an opportunity to see what’s “good” and “bad” in my library, and others.

We don’t wear nametags, mostly because the all-female staff is a bit skeevy about it. We have some male patrons who are sketchy (at best) and some feel like it’s a security issue. I don’t push it.

We are (in summer) extremely busy – but I think we age good at giving undivided attention to one person at a time. That means you may have to wait for some help for a few minutes, but when you are getting it, you’re getting it. Sometimes there is frustration, but I do my best to address any issues and to help out with patrons when I see a back-up.

Sometimes patrons don’t like our policies, and are quite vocal about it. Sometimes they are right. Sometimes we could do something better or different.

We do have a nice welcome kit full of swag!

We do a predetermined spiel when we sign someone up – we go over library policies in a general sort of way, internet policies, fines and charges, online resources and opening hours/branches. Usually we see if there’s anything specific they need and explain where to go for help in the library (i.e. returns go there, loans go there, information requests come here). When you’re doing 20-30 of them a day (between 3 and 6 staff on desk, mostly it’s the 1 or 2 librarians doing the sign up) it can get irritating but it makes a huge difference. Even if a third of people don’t listen and proceed to try borrow from the reference desk, don’t know their pin # they just created or then try to go out the entry door. Two thirds is a pretty good ratio.

for god’s sake send a stiff letter of complaint to whoever’s in charge. we’re always being told in the uk how great the customer service mentality is in the usa. this is proof that this is exaggerated. i cringe at the amateurish nature of the libraries i’ve come across since my return from new zealand and I beg you to complain. otherwise nothing will change and the bosses will stay complacent. if the place is that busy it should be staffed ny a paid employee and not a volunteer

Chime on the name tag thing. After a few very frightening stalking incidents, it was policy not to wear name tags in public, although we did have STAFF tags. We also had staff members who we called “hub bubs”: they made everything they did look like it was a flurry of effort, usually to evoke sympathy from the patrons (”They’re working so HARD to help me!”) when in reality it could have been handled quicker and with less crazy running around.

I do find it ironic that the e-mail welcome is (and rightfully so here) considered not very helpful, what with the all the talk about how libraries MUST use technology for the patrons, when most of the user demographic would like an old fashioned brochure and a person to talk to.

First, I’m sorry the process was so tedious for your dad. That would have turned me off enough that I probably wouldn’t go back, so I totally empathize with him.

Second, I’m glad that you were in observation mode and could make note of exactly what was (and was not) happening. I think it would be in the Library’s interest to send the director a note with background info and a link to this post. The director ought to think about it. I could see this being used as a case study in Library Management courses, too. We all know what the outcome should be — and there were many steps along the way where it wrong. What must the Director do now to get the Library back on track?

I dont think it’s going so far out of our way to explain to patrons what we’re doing “Give me a second, and I’ll grab you an application.” I did that when I worked in a pizza shop. This way you weren’t just walking away from the counter, and the customer had NO IDEA whether you were going to get their pizza, make a personal phone call… high tail it through the back door…

I also don’t think it’s a bad assumption to make that SOME patrons (if not MOST) are going to have questions–and they won’t even know what those questions are. What’re the hours? How does this pin number thingy work? And they won’t realize it was a question, until they want to renew a book at 9PM on Sunday night, or log onto the computer system.

Not all users will be computer savvy, and may need just a brief orientation with the computer system, the automatic checkout system, what various things are called (I have a REAL problem with a sign saying OPAC being hung over the machine with the “online catalog” on it–WE know what an OPAC is. Dad, who last used a library when there were cards in drawers has NO IDEA.)…

I faced this attitude when I worked in the tech industry as well… “well, I know what it is, and how it works, so I don’t understand what’s so hard for the patron. obviously they’re just stupid, or never paid attention in library class.” Because everyone remembers what they learned 50 years ago in 4th grade about the Dewey Decimal System that many libraries don’t even use any more.

I bet your car mechanic feels the same way about YOU, when you wander in with a “rumbly-thingy under my feet when I go uphill.” No–we want someone not only to fix the problem, and make it stop rumbling, but explain to us what was making the noise, so we can understand the next time something goes awry.

A welcome package AND a welcome email, in addition to giving a brief verbal overview means the patron has a prayer of remembering SOME of the new information they’re being inundated with. And if they feel comfortable enough, say, checking out a DVD, then they may come back and learn how to navigate the catalog, or learn who to ask for help, or come back for an event.

Heck, I’m intimidated walking into a new library, and I went to school for this stuff. I don’t want to look like a “tourist” and wander around aimlessly, and I don’t want to make assumptions based on the last library I was in… and I also don’t want to bother someone, if I can help it. I also don’t like feeling dumb when the “self-help” signage or literature ISN’T helpful to me. I think most patrons feel this way too

Are you for real?

Honestly, this sounds like a very typical library visit to me.

You’re disappointed because your dad had to (horrors!) *fill out a form* and wait in line? Because it was a little busy, and the understaffed library wasn’t able to warmly fawn over him immediately?

If you think you can get that level of service, in this economy, with librarians retiring, positions not being filled, and budgets being slashed, you’re nuts.

Along these lines our (Oregon) State Librarian wrote a piece about the beginnings of library service in Oregon in Letters to Libraries, http://listsmart.osl.state.or.us/pipermail/libs-or/attachments/20090701/036edd91/attachment.html . Just thought you might find it interesting.

————-

P.S. (From the State Librarian)

In honor of Oregon’s Sesquicentennial, I continue to devote my column to brief sketches of early Oregon libraries. The beginnings of library service in 19th Oregon is interesting and deserves to be better known and appreciated by people who work in libraries today.

The Multnomah Circulating Library, located in Oregon City, was the first community subscription library in the Oregon country. It was created to serve one of the first communities established in the Oregon country, sometime around 1840. William H. Gray, who was a former member of the Whitman Mission, and who would go on to write the first history of Oregon, was the organizer of this library, located in his home. He describes the founding of the library as follows:

“One hundred shares were taken at five dollars a share; three hundred volumes of old books [were] collected and placed in this institution … [and] one hundred dollars were sent to New York for new books which arrived the following year.”

In an interesting footnote, Gray reported that representatives of the Methodist Mission founded by Jason Lee “seemed anxious to keep from the library a certain class of light reading, which they appeared tenacious about.”

What is interesting about this library is the fact that it was founded so early in the American settlement of Oregon, when there were only a few hundred settlers in the Willamette Valley. Maybe this was the reason that the library apparently struggled to sustain itself, and there is no record of it after 1849.

Subscription libraries were still the common way of establishing library service before about the middle of the 19th century, following the model established by Benjamin Franklin and his famous Library Company of Philadelphia in the 18th century. Subscription libraries had two major shortcomings. Most were hard to maintain financially, and none of them provided free books for all. They only served those who could afford a subscription.

It wasn’t until 1854, with the founding of the Boston Public Library, that a new model of tax-supported libraries operated by local governments, and serving everyone, would begin to take hold in the Northeast and spread across the country. The story of the Multnomah Circulating Library is not untypical in Oregon, as most of the 19th century subscription libraries struggled to survive, and many failed or were able to limp along before being taken over by local governments in Oregon beginning after 1901. – Jim Scheppke

Hi Jessamyn,

Not that you need the PR, but I namechecked you in my latest LJ Books for Dudes column because you’re just the coolest punk rock librarian ever.

http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6668461.html?&rid=#reg_visitor_id_2#&source=link

[...] librarian.net » Blog Archive » My local library gets an award! [...]

It sounds like hell and as bad as anything I’ve seen as a library technical developer, but I don’t understand how you get to the “we should get Macs” conclusion. Maybe that’s just because Macs are causing me trouble…

Hi Jessamyn,

I’m the project coordinator for TechAtlas.

As I would say to any user, I’m sorry if the process wasn’t as smooth as it could have been. Our goal is certainly to make the process as straightforward and easy as possible. However, using the feedback you wrote, we can improve the process for other users and I think you have already seen some of those changes take effect.

Because of the inconsistency you reported about the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use statements, I was able to update those pages. Thanks for the catch.

The Firefox issue that you found is something that our developers have worked on improving. We can now allow Windows users with Firefox browser to use the automated inventory tools. However, for several reasons, I was waiting on updating those workflows until January. In light of your comments, I did change the page to inform users that Firefox will work with the automated tools. I will also update the message to clarify for non-Windows users.

Sometimes we can fix issues with the system quickly, as long as we know there’s a problem. We value user feedback and suggestions and a great deal of the improvements that are made to TechAtlas are driven by user requests. If you see anything in the future, feel free to send us a message ([email protected]) so we can quickly resolve any issues and continue improving the resources.

Thanks,
Kendra Morgan

Following the adage to read twice and post once, while I appreciate your frustration and the fun of railing at the Microsoft/Gates/OCLC machine. I’d like to propose that a better headline and/or article could have been “How 10 minutes work got my library thousands in cash from the Gates Foundation.”
In some instances it is better, although not as macho, to RTFM or in this case invest an hour in the webinar. If so you would have learned that there are only two tasks necessary to comply with this section of the grant application process.
First update the library information. Change the contact name, you can always use the blind account like “comments” and your usual password, add perhaps the director as the secondary contact, use the NCES lookup tool provided or or Google NCES (took me 1 minute to get the NCES for Rutland) and save. Estimated time to complete 2 minutes.
Log off TechAtlas and log back with new login information.
For four computers, depending on how much info you need you can use either of two tools. The local tool, designed for standalone computers or work group computers can be run from a thumb drive or even a floppy and the results can be saved to be uploaded later.
If the computers are identical, let’s say 4 Gates grant computers. Upload the first one, chose view/edit, chose “duplicate” and copy it four times. Open copy1 and rename, rinse and repeat.
Let’s save you ran the tool on all four computers…estimated time to complete 8 minutes (10 minutes if you count travel time between desks).
If it were me, and I had four pretty similar computers I would chose the manual inventory, fill in the name of the computer, the OS,check whether or not it is a public access computer,add the date purchased and submit. Than I’d copy this 3 times, rename the copies and be done.
Bottom line no more than 30 minutes work may get your library enough cash to buy 8 new Macbooks.
Frankly not a bad investment despite the aggravation.
As to Overdrive I feel your pain and have about 100 computers to update…but the good news is that Overdrive now works with iPods so I guess that there is a silver lining.

You’re totally right, logging in to the website and figuring out how to make my profile information stick was the most frustrating part of this whole enterprise. I got all the relevant infomation about the necessary tasks from the letter. Once I logged in, it was simple to plug in the information — which I didn’t need to watch a webinar to figure out. I work roughly five to eight hours a week, an hour-long webinar is not cost effective for me or my library especially if it’s explaining to me how to do 30 minutes worth of work. The webinar would not have saved me two calls to NELINET (for my login and to figure out why there is another library’s name pre-populating the “network” area) and it would not have saved me from stepping through the “browser incompatibility” page.

I appreciate what the Gates Foundation has done for libraries in Vermont and outside of Vermont, but I feel that in 2008 there’s very little excuse for bad user interface design and mandatory websites that appear to still be in beta. Many librarians where I am aren’t much more advanced than their patrons technologically and this sort of thing has a chilling effect on their ability to get finding and advance in their tech knowledge and skillset.

As someone who has nothing to do with any of this, I’d just like to point out that many of us have had many bad experiences with Webinars and would just like a damn page with what we need to do in plain writing.

I don’t understand why everything has to be done in Webinar format that requires an hour to watch plus finagling your computer… which if you’re lucky, you have the access to do. (Try being the member of a 40+ library consortium sometime. You don’t have that luxury most of the time.) And if I have one more Webinar that requires me to sit on the phone for an hour at my computer, which requires me not only finding the time to watch the Webinar but ALSO scheduling the office phone so no one else is using it, I’m going to scream.

So I’m sort of with Jessamyn when she scrapped the Webinar pretty quickly.

I have this TechAtlas fun to look forward to. I’m signed up for the Webinar though I don’t really look forward to it. Sometimes I wonder why we have to jump through so many hoops to get some money for library computers. If we’re eligible in their eyes why don’t they just send us a check and have us report back to them on what we got for the money. As I understand it, the money will be divided into two years, with the first year requiring a 25% match & second year a 50% match. Last time around we had to get the computers they told us to (expensive ones) that haven’t stood up any better than the cheaper ones we have. I wonder if it will be the same this time. I can buy the four computers we need for what the matching funds will be for this grant. We already own four licenses for the Centurion Guard software & can use those. I also got four licenses for Office 2007 from Tech Soup for $20 ea. so already have that. I keep asking myself why I’m even considering putting myself through the process. Just in case, I guess, and on the hope that this time around we’ll have a little more leeway in computer choice.

[...] Applying for a grant…. For each computer, there are twenty-two fields to fill out, but only five of them are mandatory. We have four identical computers so this was actually pretty simple and you can edit the entries if you get anything wrong. … [...]

[...] Applying for a grant…. I guess this is good news? The part they left out is that my browser is incompatible because I’m on a Mac, not because I’m using Firefox. So we have four computers and it’s not that difficult to fill in the blanks. For each computer … [...]