My Report!

The St. Petersburg Public Library system serves a city of approximately 250,000 residents and participates in a county wide automated system which allows inter-library borrowing privileges to surrounding beach communities and Clearwater. The library system has about 506,000 volumes. As of January 2007 there were 171,000 St. Petersburg Public Library cardholders. The St. Petersburg city system consists of the main branch and six other branches located throughout the city. The information gathered in this report is from a visit to the main branch.

Types of Systems Used:

Network: The St. Petersburg Public Library has both hardwired and wireless networks for public and staff computers in all of their buildings. Since the entire library has wireless access, “hot spots” are nonexistent. The library has TI cable connections with service provided by Verizon.

Automation: At the time of this visit, the library was in the midst of upgrading their automation system. They have POLARIS 3.3. The reference staff is very happy with it, and so far the public seems to be quite happy, too. POLARIS is web-based and modules include Circulation, Acquistion, Serials, Cataloging, Patron Services, Administration, and Utilities. As far as interactive elements are concerned, patrons have the option of saving reading lists and saving searches for further use.

Server, computer and workstation specifications:

The library’s Automation Team was available and answered my questions as to their technical specs. They are as follows:

Microsoft Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 1
Web Server – Microsoft Internet Information Server 6.0 and Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 with Service Pack 1 must be installed on the Web server with Windows Server 2003 Microsoft Message Queue is also required.
Database Server – Requires Microsoft SQL Server 2000 with Service Pack 4 (Polaris also supports SQL Server 2005.)

One of the following operating systems must be installed on every staff and public client:

Windows 2000 Professional with Service Pack 4 (Requires MSMQ 2.0)
Windows XP Professional with Service Pack 2 (Requires MSMQ 3.0)

All staff and ActivePAC workstations require some combination of the following support software, depending on the version of Polaris already installed:

MSMQ
MSXML 4.0 Service Pack 2MDAC 2.8 Service Pack 1
Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 With Service Pack 1
MS Jet 4.0 Service Pack 8
Adobe Reader 8.0
SQL Native Client

Computers:

The St. Petersburg Public Library Main Branch has 48 patron workstations with Internet connection for public use. Eight of these are reserved for use by children only. The library has an Automation Team which does basic computer maintenance with anything big repairs sent out. This team is also responsible for technical program planning and budgeting. I asked what their technology budget was, but they declined to answer. The library also has laptops used for library programs, but not available for public loan. PDAs are not available for loan from the library, but downloadable audiobooks are available through the Web site. They are self regulating via technology and books automatically stop “working” at end of loan period. Workstations are available to everyone on first come, first serve basis. The library does not reserve computers for organizations at this time due to the high public demand for access.

Web Presence:

The library has a Web site http://www.splibraries.org/stpetersburg.htm which is maintained by the Automation Team. It was disappointing to note that the Web site does not include a blog, wiki, RSS feeds or patron reviews. It does have IM reference services with questions referred directly to the Reference Department via an email account specially set up for that purpose.

Policies and Forms:

The St. Petersburg Public Library has several written policies, copies of which are on their Web site. They have a code of conduct, a children in the library policy, circulation services policy, interlibrary loan policy, meeting room policy and a computer access policy. Policy states that patrons have 90 minutes of computer time per day at each library location. They have an automated system for regulating use called PCReservation.

Furniture and Space Planning:

As with many libraries, the St. Petersburg Public Library is cramped for space. The physical plant is old and there are very few outlets for power cords needed by wireless users. I was impressed to note that they have two stations designated for patrons with physical disabilities. Tables raise and lower to accommodate wheelchairs, and special software has been installed on computer hard drives. The library does have some difficulty with wire management and space for public terminals.

What Works, What Doesn’t?

Finally, I asked what works and what doesn’t work in the library’s technology program. The library is very pleased with their electronic reservation system for computer use, PCReservation. And, it was not a surprise to find out that their physical environment is problematic. Their major complaints are poor wire management, too few outlets, and simple lack of physical space which create problems for patrons and staff.