Library Computer Waiting Time – Wasting Time
@arthurchappell (44998)
Preston, England
February 3, 2016 9:13am CST
It is really frustrating to need library computers as they are in very limited supply, often all already in use and queued up for, or offline for maintenance.
Users are justifiably restricted to one hour online per visit, so I only use them when I need one for printing files out or writing to sites like this to earn something back. It is frustrating therefore to find that out of nine computers in my local library, three were in use for no more purpose than watching pop videos on Youtube, looking at pictures of girls in bikinis and looking at football reviews.
Fair’s fair and it is always a first come first served service so I just have to take my chances. Fortunately the computer I used to write this out became free just twenty minutes after I reached the library.
Arthur Chappell
11 people like this
11 responses
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
3 Feb 16
I have never used a library computer, although I have seen them during my visits. How do you actually get to use one? Can you just sit down and begin to use it if it is free at the time, or do you need to acquire access via the staff?
2 people like this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
6 Feb 16
@arthurchappell Very interesting, I may call in and try that.
1 person likes this
@arthurchappell (44998)
• Preston, England
6 Feb 16
@Asylum in Manchester your library card number is your log in number and your day/month of birth is your password - you just key those in and you get your hour - a little counter on the screen tells you how long you have left
1 person likes this
@purplealabaster (22091)
• United States
3 Feb 16
When I didn't have a computer for six months to a year, I tried to go to the library to use one there. I thought that they were restricted on time, but it didn't seem like anyone was enforcing that. After about an hour and a half I left. I went back a couple of times, but it always seemed like the same thing, so I gave up after a while.
2 people like this
@arthurchappell (44998)
• Preston, England
3 Feb 16
sometimes the restrictions should apply if a library is busy - annoying when you have to vacate a computer even when no one else needs it after you though
2 people like this
@purplealabaster (22091)
• United States
3 Feb 16
@arthurchappell I can understand and agree with you on that. We used to have those kinds of restrictions in the computer lab in college. If there were a lot of people, then you were restricted to an hour and then had to go to the back of the line. If there were enough computers for everybody, though, then you could stay on one for as long as you needed ... or until the computer lab closed, whichever came first.
2 people like this
@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
4 Feb 16
It's nice to hear that libraries the world over [possibly] allow it's card holders to utilize their computers. Our library does the same thing, but I've not had to use them for many years now. Our family has at least three computers in our house, and when mine's been in the shop I've used my husband's when he was at work or napping. Even then, I'm always biting at the bit waiting for mine to get fixed and return to me again.
There are three printers in the house too. My husband's is available to all of us with wifi, unfortunately his is out of ink and I don't want to buy more until spring. Mine works fine though, and my daughter has her own too.
2 people like this
@14VibrantStar14 (25)
• Baltimore, Maryland
3 Feb 16
Oh how I hate it too. Most people do not even go to the library to use the computer for important reasons. Most are on the computer for Facebook,Instagram,or many of the other social sites. It is so frustrating when you need to take care of something important.
2 people like this
@arthurchappell (44998)
• Preston, England
3 Feb 16
a good actor easily overlooked - he played General Ross in the first Hulk Movie
1 person likes this
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
3 Feb 16
ah so you dont use a pc at home? that would drive me nuts, trying to work in online writing time like that
1 person likes this
@fishtiger58 (29820)
• Momence, Illinois
3 Feb 16
My small library only has 4 computers, but I don't think I have ever seen them all in use at the same time. I live in a very small town. I'm glad I don't have depend on those to do what I want online.
2 people like this
