The SMART Choice is Thin-Client

Dixie Regional Library System (DRLS), 111 North Main Street, Pontotoc Mississippi 38863,
Joe A. Tynes, Director (662) 489-3961

DRLS is a tri-county library system with eight libraries serving a population of 61,354.

Demographic Summary:
The largest industry is manufacturing, employing 43% of the work force. Twice a year the second largest U.S. wholesale furniture market for retailers is held in the area. The median household income is $32,055. Two challenges faced by the libraries serving this population are: (1) that over 40% of residents did not graduate from high school, and (2) that 14% of families are below poverty level.

Best Practice Category: Planning (Maintaining Computers)

Need this practice addresses:
Maintaining computer access is a challenge for libraries in low income areas serving computer illiterate populations. Due to budget constraints, many libraries do not have staff with the training to be information technology managers or with the time to properly train patrons in computer use. Eight libraries comprise the tri-county Dixie Regional Library System (DRLS) with local budgets ranging between $10,000 and $114,000. The four member Regional System staff provides administration, centralized acquisitions and cataloging, and technology planning, implementation, training, and maintenance with a budget of $339,000, of which over $70,000, or 21%, is for technology. Because of low salaries and budgets, DRLS has been unable to retain trained staff or secure contracts for on-site technical support. This requires the director and assistant director to maintain the technology.

The process for developing this idea:
In 2001, an article in American Libraries mentioned a thin-client system developed specifically for libraries by Veicon Technology, Inc. DRLS contacted the company for more information and libraries using the system to learn of their experiences. After reviewing the information it was determined that the system should meet libraries' need for a very low maintenance network that would provide access to the Internet, Microsoft Office, and email. The company was also requested to provide the same Internet content filtering and virus scanning for existing computers as they did for the thin-clients. Although this was the first time to be asked to provide this service, they agreed. DRLS had already been approved for a Library Services and Technology grant to purchase a variety of hardware, including eight PCs. After explaining the benefits of the thin-client technology to the Mississippi Library Commission, DRLS was allowed to change the grant and purchase sixteen thin-client terminals, two for each branch. Four more have been added since then for a total of twenty.

Barriers encountered & subsequently overcome:
(1) The branch libraries had dedicated 56K lines for Internet access that were adequate for the thin-clients, although slower than the PCs. However, some branches were also using terminals for circulation and the automation system ran too slow on them. It was able to operate but at reduced efficiency. E-rate discounts were used for upgrading to 256K lines to solve this problem. (2) If users wanted to save a document to a floppy disk they attached it to an email that they would open on a PC at home, school, or in the library. This inconvenience was solved by adding an external USB floppy drive to the terminal. Only one external drive was purchased for each library because users only occasionally required saving direct to a floppy.

The success of this practice:
The expectation of low maintenance has been well justified during the past three years. A fifteen minute phone call usually solves any problems. We have had to "reflash" a couple of units. This required connecting to a remote server via the Internet to reinstall some files. A three-year-old unit was recently exchanged for a new one due to a bad mouse port. No other mechanical problems have been encountered with the terminals although it has been a constant challenge to keep the traditional PC's operational.

The SMART Choice is Thin-Client
Secure:	Confidential e-mail files, web pages, and documents are automatically purged upon logout to preserve users' privacy. Built-in protection from known and unknown viruses is a unique feature of "Thin-Client" that eliminates the need for software updates.
Managed:	"Thin-Client" offers the advantages of central administration for set up and redefinition of its functions and capabilities. CIPA compliant filtering gives users the option for filtered or unfiltered content while print cost recovery manages patron print jobs.
Affordable:	With lower Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) than a PC model, "Thin Client" terminals can drastically lower energy consumption and ongoing IT expenditures. Savings in time and frustration alone make the "Thin-Client" solution invaluable.
Reliable:	Because "Thin-Client" operates in a client/server model using remote terminals, the solution increases uptime and lessens maintenance often required in a PC environment.
Thin:	The "Thin-Client" user interface has been designed around MS Windows to eliminate learning curves. The small physical size of the terminals makes the solution perfect for libraries with limited or no room for expansion.