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Are you familiar with the WebJunction web site and newsletter? It’s published by OCLC and sponsored by the Gates Foundation; and it
usually has some pretty good, practical tips. For example, the November issue
of the newsletter has some great ideas for replacing computer hardware when
your library is short on cash. I’ve excerpted that article, and it appears
below. Sharon Sharon Herfurth CTLS
I'm Curious, George… I'm writing from a tiny little rural library that has one
“public” station with Internet and Microsoft Word that is shared with our
staff. The computer was donated by one of our patrons, but last week the
monitor went “blip” and now it won't turn on. A volunteer tech guy came in last
week and said that the monitor is just plain “dead” and we'd better just buy a
new one. I've heard a lot of talk about libraries qualifying (or
not!) for discounted hardware, but don't quite know where to start. We don't
have one of those friends groups, and we have almost no room in our budget for
buying a new monitor. Do you have any suggestions for finding a monitor
quickly, and on the cheap? Monitorless in Montana Dear MiM, Sorry to hear about your monitor gone “blip.” First
determine exactly the type of monitor you need, so that it's compatible with
the rest of your current system. Now that you know your requirements, I do have
a few suggestions for finding a monitor at a nice price, and quickly. Get it on EBay Call me crazy, but I've heard that libraries have been
successful finding reasonably priced hardware with the monster e-based network.
Bid today (or better yet, ask your patrons to bid as a fundraising contest -
for fun!) and you might get your new monitor by the end of the week. Ask and You Shall Receive Post a notice on your library's Web site, appropriate
distribution lists or list servs, All Aboard, and on
posters near the circulation desk - exactly what you need and how quickly you
need it. One of your patrons or colleagues may have one in their garage! You've got a Friend Even if you don't have a friends group, you may be able
to network with your local partners to make a similar appeal. Check with local
government, school districts, and any partner organizations to see if they have
a monitor to donate. Also, check with local businesses to see if they have any
old equipment they're not using. Not to sound like a ghoul, but if a company
has had to lay off staff recently, it may have some surplus equipment
available. You'd get equipment, and the business would get a tax break. Once you've got your new monitor, don't forget to check
out WebJunction's article on recycling unwanted
hardware. Best, George |
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