Catalog/Database Only Computers

***Update: it is immensely time consuming to ask IT to allow all research links on our website. In the meantime, we can use caution and judgement to assist patrons who need to use websites for research - Saima***

I had a patron the other day who needed to search the Thomas Register, but our Catalog/Database Only computers wouldn't allow access to it, because the Thomas Register is technically a website. Could these computers be set up to allow access to certain web-based resources, such as The Thomas Register or 50states.com ? Is that even possible?

It's confusing for patrons to see a list of resources we label "databases" on our web site and have so many of the links be inaccessible from our "database only" computers. It seemed like horrible customer service to make him wait in the computer reservation line just to access this standard library resource. Fortunately, he was able to get started with Reference USA, but Thomas Register would have been better for his needs.

If we could find a way to do this, I would also like for our ILL page to be accessible on the Catalog/Database only computers. Patrons shouldn't have to wait in line to do that either.

--Lisa

update phone list

It has been updated.
Thanks,
Saima

Can someone please update the phone list that is linked on the HPL Cen blog? Please remove MFT and Sarah Ortiz and add David and Jose.

I don't know who 'owns' this document...

thanks.

WLC Question

***Please consult the CEN blog for information about WLC computers***
Saima

There have been customers coming over to WLC to view DVDs they claim are in other languages. Is this appropriate?
LW

I'd like an answer to this question as well since I've had the same situation. The DVD was from the SP DVD collection. I did verify that.
CP

I would like clarification of exactly what type of work constitutes "WLC" use, in general. I have also had the foreign DVD situation come up. Clearly Mango languages counts and if someone needs access to a keyboard with special characters, but is there any other legitimate use of these computers? (Other than for our disabled customers.) ~Somer

Food in Fridge

We are having the same old problem of old abandoned food in the 4th floor fridge. I think we should set up a rotating schedule with staff for cleaning out the fridge once a week, either Friday or Saturday. I will do it this Saturday.

Logging out of Google

Please make sure you remember to log yourself out of Google when you are finished. Remember that your log in gives you access to Blogger, gmail, Google Docs, and any other Google applications you may use. Even if you were just leaving a comment on one of the blogs, if you leave yourself logged in, the next person on the computer will have access to anything in your Google account. I would hope that we are all honest enough to log each other out if we realize someone else is logged in, but you don't want to leave yourself open to misuse of your information. (And I am guilty of doing this, too, I know, especially in TR!)

~Somer