ChromeOS: Touching Base with Other Libraries 2019

[Michelle Mears]

I see no one has posted in a while, so I thought I would start a new thread for anyone to share how they are using ChromeOS in libraries, and if they are having any particular successes or problems.

Rolling Hills Library, MO

2 counties, 2 branches, 1 bookmobile

All of our public workstations (20) and OPACs (7) are Chrome.  We also have LCD displays running on Chromebits (9) using Chrome Sign Builder and Google Slides looping presentations.

Just today, we migrated one of the OPACs to a different domain and had to reconfigure the kiosk mode which was kind of hairy.  We literally had not touched or turned off those Chromeboxes in 3 years, so no one remembered how to do it.

We use LibData for patron authentication, and recently migrated our largest branch to LibData's cloud Control Center, eliminating the need for a local install and generally improving performance.  Since it ran as a Windows service, multiple open programs and excessive open tabs in the browser tended to make it lock up and require a restart of the service.  We plan to migrate our smaller branch to the cloud in January.

I have 2 staff workstations moved to ChromeOS, and would have more if our ILS (Biblionix Apollo) could connect and print receipts and wrappers from the Chrome browser.  Right now it needs Windows or Mac because it has a printer helper app and browser extension that work together.

We also migrated 1 year ago to Google for Non-Profits for staff email and shared documents and apps (we are using our Foundation's 501c3).  Prior to this I had (and still have until I finish migrating all the hardware) a single Google for Work account where I managed all of the public stations and OPACs on a separate domain, because we started managing Chrome hardware long before we decided to Google-fy the staff side.  Now I want it all under one umbrella.  I did have to buy new licenses, but at $30 a pop I am still way ahead.  I kind of wish I could buy new Chromebases for the public, but the current ones still work well and show no signs of becoming obsolete.

I have done two presentations at library conferences about ChromeOS and how great it is to manage, but can't seem to get anyone else excited about it in Missouri.  We eliminated 2 IT positions and contracted out the rest (maybe 1-2 hours per week, if that) by going with a centrally managed ChromeOS solution.  With LibData we get authentication and print management that works with our HP color laser printers and Jamex coin ops, and patrons can keep their documents private in addition to less wasted paper.  We do have a few Windows laptops we use for people who absolutely need access to the MS Office suite.  I have not figured out wi-fi printing yet, but I am sure there is a way to make it work.  

My wish list?  I want to be able to print out or summarize the settings in Chrome Management for my sub-organizations, because I feel like there are way too many screens and settings to be able to remember.  I wish Google could just print or export the settings that have been changed from the default.  I confess, sometimes I don't remember what I do to fix a problem I just go in there and start looking at settings and changing things until it works.  I would make a terrible IT person, LOL.

So, how do you Chrome OS?

Michelle

[Marshal Smith MidYork]

Mid-York Library System, Utica, New York

3 counties, 43 member libraries.

We have a mix of PCs and ChromeOS at most of our libraries.

As Windows 7 support is ending many libraries are buying the far cheaper Chrome devices to replace public PCs.

We currently have 136 Chrome devices deployed (nearly a third of the total public machines) and expect it to grow significantly as the PCs age out.

We're using Chromebits for OPAC kiosks and signage. We have a few libraries with Chromeboxs on the circ desk running SymphonyWeb (Sirsi).

We are in the process of switching the sites that use time and print management to LibData to allow the use of Chrome devices at those locations, we have 5 sites currently on LibData. I'd use their cloud version if it supported PCs too.

The time saved in set up and troubleshooting with the Chrome devices cannot be emphasized enough, we have virtually no issues with Chrome devices and none have died even though we have several that are 6+ years old.

Wish list: A self checkout kiosk setup for Chrome. A simple dashboard session count for Chrome public session logins.

Marshal Smith

Server and Network Administrator

Mid-York Library System
msm...@midyork.org | www.midyork.org

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[Marshal Smith MidYork]

Correction: LibData does support Windows PCs on their Cloud version: I'll be checking that out soon!

Marshal Smith

Server and Network Administrator

Mid-York Library System
msm...@midyork.org | www.midyork.org

[Matt Amory]

We now have 18 managed Chromebooks for public in-library lending.

My wish list:

Android Apps in Managed Sessions

-Roblox

-Minecraft

-Fortnite

Session use counts in the ChromeOS Management Console

Matt Amory
(917) 771-4157
matt....@gmail.com

On Mon, Dec 31, 2018 at 2:47 PM Michelle Mears <mme...@rhcl.org> wrote:

[kste...@minlib.net]

Somerville Public Library, Somerville MA 

We're moving towards adding more chrome devices. I prefer them to Windows PCs, but we need to keep both right now.

We have 6 managed chromebooks for in-library lending at our Central Library (2 more on the way), and we are trialing 1 chromebook at both of our branches. We haven't solved the printing-from-chromebook issue yet.

We also just replaced 3 patron PCs with 3 chromebases. Folks like them, but perhaps they also like that there's no patron time management running on these devices right now. :-)

We're looking at switching to Libdata for patron time management and printing next fiscal year.

Karen Stevens

Librarian, Technology and Technical Services

Somerville Public Library

[Patrick-Austin (MN) Public Library]

Going into 2019, we have 24 Chromeboxes, 8 mini PCs, and 1 Mac mini all on LibData and because LibData uses Google Cloud Print, our circulating Chromebooks can print while in the library using Libdata but have to be released by the Librarian at the Control Center.    The Print Release station is a pocket PC attached to a touchscreen and the Reservation station is a Chromebit attached to a touchscreen. We are down to 18 circulating Chromebooks.  We use Google Signage to show a slideshow and video internally.  Our chrome devices have been work horses.  I've given presentations locally and don't understand why more libraries don't go this route.  Wish Google Admin would permit us to push more apps and extensions to public session.  We would like to switch over our self-CKOs to a Google platform down the road.  Thanks for bringing this to our attention for 2019, Michelle!