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[LUG] Library services.



This is not exactly 100% Linux but what I would like to propose to torbay
council does involve using Linux in some capacity, or at least free
software.

  There was an article in my local paper yesterday about Torbay council not
having enough money for libraries.   Mainly to buy books,  this got me
thinking about their computer provision,  this is mainly computers with this
DS safety net thing on,  for the internet (I think this is somesort of front
end to IE but I am not sure).   The computers can also be used to check what
books are in,  where they are and reserve books etc. II am not exactly sure
where their software ends, and safety net starts, I think it's just for the
web and looking up information which is stored as html pages.

    I was thinking that as Exeter library provide desktop pc's running
office Torbay council to do the same but running Windows / star office or
Linux / star office.

The latter is a better solution partly because it's free, but it's easier to
lock down the desktop, and prevent users changing things, around,  this can
be done with windows but at extra expense,

Star office should be free for Libraries, as this can be classed as
education use,  regardless it's still cheaper than office professional.

One of the problems I have faced with this type of suggestion is that it's
technical and too technical for most of the people who make these kind of
decisions,

I am not sure how far this would go to save £210, 000 (the figure quoted in
the paper) but I guess it would be a big help.

What sort of services do other libraries provide,  for customers.

Thanks,  I am not sure if this will achieve anything but it's worth a try

Paul


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