Computers for Patrons

Why Patrons?

It's now been made clear that there was a need for computers to help with the day to day operations of the library given the growth of new information and research that needed to be document, preserved, and shared. Computers were difficult enough to operate and train for librarians, so one of my key research questions was when and why did libraries choose to give patrons access to them? In addition, how did they provide access?

In the 1970s, online catalogs were available and libraries starting having some computer terminals available to help patrons search for materials. At this time, librarians had to make the decision to purchase systems that were already created, or design their own software (Lynch, 2000). Could you imagine being a librarian and just writing your own software code as part of your every day job? This was uncommon for a public library, but academic libraries did occasionally write their own software (Avallone, 1985).

It wasn't until the 1980s and the emergence of the Microcomputer that public use of computers really began to take off.

Microcomputers

Microcomputers were designed to become personal computers that people could use from home. They were fairly lightweight, some weighing in at as little as 4 pounds (New York Times, 1983). The fact that this existed after what was already known about computers (it wasn't that long ago that they were massive) made people curious, but potentially hesitant to buy. No one really knew how to use a computer except for some librarians (I'll delve more into that later) and other professionals (in schools and other institutions) who worked directly with computers. The average person had likely never used a computer. However, given how much impact computerization had on the organization of libraries and the overwhelming curiosity and demand for computers, the potential this technology had could be easily understood. There were a number of ways in which libraries introduced microcomputers to the public to allow patrons to try computers and learn how to use them before they purchased one. Libraries had a few options: sometimes doing one thing or the other, or all of them at once.

Coin-Operated Microcomputers

Due to high demand, a common way to reserve and keep track of time being used on a microcomputer at a time were coin-operated microcomputers. These computer stations would be set up in the library and programmed to turn on once coins were inserted. The fees charged varied, although according to a quote from CompuVend, a company that manufactured coin operated computers to sell to libraries, most libraries charged around $4 an hour to use a computer. The waits to use microcomputers were intense. The library director from M. Pine Free Public Library in Fair Town, NJ is quoted saying that "It's like making an appointment at the dentist," when referring to patrons on a wait list for up to six weeks for one hour of time on a microcomputer (New York Times, 1983).

Computers for Lending

Another option libraries in metropolitan areas used was actually lending out computers for check-out to patrons to try at home. These microcomputers were very small and were capable of being plugged into a home television to use as the monitor. It was more common for libraries to have larger computers to be used in house, but lending computers became a rising trend for a while. As soon as the public was aware that computers would be available for check out, patrons were practically racing to be the first to get a hold reservation. Some libraries charged a small fee for lending computers, but most were lending computers for free with a library card. Part of the rationale for providing access to computers in this way was to help people stop being afraid of computers. They hoped that being able to take a computer home to try it out would help give patrons enough confidence to explore and use them more. Many patrons used this as a way to "Try before you buy". According to the New York Times a patron quoted, "We checked this out to see if it would be worth getting one, and we will definitely get one within the next six to eight months. Judging from the way the kids took to it, I'm sure we will go back again soon." (New York Times, 1983).

Pictured above is the Timex Sinclair 1000, which is an inexpensive simple microcomputer that most libraries were lending. This model could be plugged into a TV to serve as a monitor. This was a great way to explore a computer without much prior knowledge. It only had a memory capacity of around 2,000 characters, whereas a larger computer that you could find in-house at a library would hold more than 64,000 characters and run more software programs (New York Times, 1983). If you click here it will link you to a clipping from the Library Journal that advertises the National Education Association selling these microcomputers to libraries for a reduced rate of around $50 (they normally retailed around $90) that included instructions and a case for easy transportation for library patrons. This clipping is from EBSCO Host so you will need to login to view.