Our experience was very similar to Round Rock's. We used to offer this service (for free) but no longer do. Good summary of the issues, Dale!
Judy Duer Library Director Temple (TX) Public Library [email protected] 100 W. Adams Ave. Temple TX 76501 254 298-5707 254 298-5328 (fax) ________________________________ From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of D Ricklefs Sent: Tuesday, November 03, 2009 12:30 PM To: [email protected] Subject: [ctls-l] FW: proctoring services--it is more than just the cost-- define levels of service Dale Ricklefs, Library Director Round Rock Public Library 216 E. Main Street, Round Rock, Texas 78664 512-218-7010; 218-7061 (fax); [email protected] Go to Facebook, and become a fan of Round Rock Public Library Visit our website at: http://www.roundrocktexas.gov/library We're on Twitter at RoundRockPL -------------------------------------------------------------- If you get a "mailbox full" or some form of message identifying delivery problems, please call me at one of the numbers above. Thank you! From: D Ricklefs Sent: Tuesday, November 03, 2009 12:29 PM To: 'Waynette Ditto' Subject: RE: [ctls-l] proctoring services--it is more than just the cost-- define levels of service As I recall, Cedar Park did charge for this. We stopped doing it as it was time consuming especially when professional librarians were required to closely monitor the student; benefited a handful (but growing) number of people, many of whom were not card holders; and the Texas State University campus in RR and the UT Testing Center offer this-with a fee. We found some students increasingly demanding, some testing requirements included the full attention of a staff member (sometimes a "librarian" was specified, and once or twice with a degree requirement), some required we receive something (like a rock collection) and return the test and collection within 24 hours after the test (hard to do on a Saturday after the post office closes). Sometimes the student sent in the testing request, sometimes the library did. There is a variety of approaches that the different professional training programs and schools take. At times (though not often), students were rude, returning students felt they were entitled to certain things we were not able to provide, some would cancel, and then have a hard time rescheduling within the schools' parameters. Some require extended access to a computer-are you willing to free up your limited computers to someone taking a 3 hour test? An academic testing environment-and paying for it-puts needed responsibility on some of the students. We offered it for over 20 years for free, and it just became too much to handle, and we're relatively well staffed. I think an open discussion of the benefits and challenges should take place-and the staff actually implementing it should chime in on that discussion. And, there may be attitudinal differences among people living in or near a city like Round Rock which has access to great resources (and maybe have a higher sense of entitlement) and smaller communities where most of the public may, indeed, be more appreciative to have access to anything that can help them succeed. Finally, you may want to create your own parameters on what you'll accept. E.g., if you do not have a professional librarian or educator on staff, you may have to refuse service as you would not, ethically, be following that particular school's requirement, not provide 3 hours of time to one person, etc. Dale Ricklefs, Library Director Round Rock Public Library 216 E. Main Street, Round Rock, Texas 78664 512-218-7010; 218-7061 (fax); [email protected] Go to Facebook, and become a fan of Round Rock Public Library Visit our website at: http://www.roundrocktexas.gov/library We're on Twitter at RoundRockPL -------------------------------------------------------------- If you get a "mailbox full" or some form of message identifying delivery problems, please call me at one of the numbers above. Thank you! From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Waynette Ditto Sent: Tuesday, November 03, 2009 11:53 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [ctls-l] proctoring services We provide the service for free. N. Waynette Ditto, MLS Library Director Hewitt Public Library 254-666-2442 Fax 254-666-6025 www.cityofhewitt.com/hpl<http://www.cityofhewitt.com/hpl> ________________________________ From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Carolyn Manning Sent: Tuesday, November 03, 2009 12:05 PM To: 'Shanda Subia'; [email protected] Subject: Re: [ctls-l] proctoring services This is a free service that we provide. I didn't know that other libraries may be charging for this. Carolyn T. Manning Library Director Wimberley Village Library 512 847-2188, ext. 6 [email protected] -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Shanda Subia Sent: Tuesday, November 03, 2009 11:45 AM To: [email protected] Subject: [ctls-l] proctoring services Hello, Do any libraries that provide proctoring services charge for that service? If so, how much? Thanks, Shanda Shanda Subia Library Director Lampasas Public Library 201 S. Main St. Lampasas, TX 76550 (512) 556-3251
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