Even Internet Computers Want to be Free: Using Linux on Public Workstations

Conference Year

Online Northwest 2010

Session

Type

Breakout Session

Presenters

Buzzy Nielsen, North Bend Public Library
Sean Park, Coos County Library Service District

Abstract

Use of open source software (OSS) is common in the server rooms of many libraries. Many have even taken the step of switching their public workstations to the open source web browser Firefox. However, making the jump to an open source operating system for public computers has not caught on quite as well. In this presentation, we will detail how several libraries in Coos County, Oregon, have switched their public internet terminals predominantly to open source software, specifically Ubuntu Linux, Firefox, and OpenOffice. We will show how Coos County libraries are able to provide the excellent range of services and indeed improved over the services available on Windows or Mac-based public computers. We will detail the software we use, the costs and benefits of the change, and how the switch has been received by the public and library staff. The presentation will include a demonstration and screenshots of what patrons experience when they sit down at a computer. It will also provide tips for supporting the wide variety of media, file types, and devices that patrons may bring to the library. Finally, we will briefly discuss how the computers are administered behind-the-scenes using a variety of open source tools. This presentation should interest any librarians interested in increasing their use of OSS,
whether for the public or staff.

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