INITIAL QUESTION:

I would very much appreciate responses from you, especially if you have 5^th-8^th grade students, concerning computer log-on requirements in your school districts.  I have been informed recently that ALL computer stations in the library will only be able to be accessed if each student/client logs on with his or her individual user name and password, then logs off again when finished.  So far, I have a generic password of “student” so that I can open all 12 computers for catalog and AR quiz use.  During research lessons, these same 12 computers have also been opened to the generic password to avoid the downtime of individual profiles.  Students often have to share a machine as classes have 25-30 students.  In addition, these twelve computers are actually 6 and 6 each - on two Extenda boxes.  This arrangement works but is slower than stand alone PCs.  How do you handle security concerns within your library?

 

RESPONSES:

Our students must log on and off after each session on the computers in the library.

Vivian K. Straub

Librarian

Penns Valley Jr/Sr High School

 

 All of our students are required to log in to our workstations (I’m 7-12) but all of our students have access to the  opac and to AR from their machine. If you’re friendly with your tech people, perhaps you could get them to come up with a “library profile” a faster loading image that would house the AR and opac and then the students could use their own login name if they needed to type something? Good luck.

I have one computer on the circulation desk facing students that is always open to the library catalog.  I have 15 computers on tables for student use.  Everyone must log on to gain access to the Internet or Word.

Judy Ruth

Teacher-Librarian

In a 7th and 8th grade building, all computers must be logged on through the network.   To save time (or to allow teacher to access a "student workstation" to look up books...) I have one student's name and password that I have "permission" to use.  For the last several years, it has been a student who has and ID number and acccount but who is in the Life Skills classes so never really uses it. Before that, I used and administrator's daughter.. with his knowledge.  I just log all the computers on as that student ... and we've not had any problems - for quick access to OPAC and AR.  Of course, if students need to work on a paper, or save things to their own folders, they must log off and log on as themselves!  Some periods, I leave most workstations  open for students to log on, but have 2 or 3 already logged on as my "generic" student.     Also, We've found that it goes faster if students remember to always go to the same computer (not  always possible of course) -- once the registries are completed for students on each workstation, it goes a bit faster.

Jamie Scott

Grove City Middle School

I have 26 computers in my library and students can only use the catalog if they use their own user name and password.  The tech dept. will not allow us to have 'generic' log on. Hope this help.

Shelby Kqira

Pottsgrove Middle School

 

My school (7-12), uses usernames for each student which consists of the last 2 numbers of the student’s graduation year, the first five letters of the students last name and then the first initial of the student’s first name.  ex. 10detwid (2010. Detwiler, Devin)  The password then is the student’s ID number.  I also have the networked computers (Extenda boxes) and after a student logs on one time, the log in process goes quickly because the computer remembers them.  So if you could have all the students log on to each set of computers, after they are initially logged on, it will only take the amount of time that it takes to log in with the generic log-in.

Hope this helps.

~Geraldine Truog

West Middlesex Area School District

Jr./Sr. High School Librarian

At my school, Pine-Richland Middle School, (grades 7 & 8) all students have a log in and password assigned by the district.  They must use this to use any computer in the district.

Kathy Batykefer - MLIS

Teacher-Librarian

I use the username library without a password for the students to access the card catalog in the library.  I only have 4 stations in my PreK to 8th grade private school.  If students are doing work that they will need to save during a class research time, they login on their own user name so the document can be saved on the network. 

Linda Rowan

Grey Nun Academy

In my district we went to individual student logins a few years ago.  My building is only 6-8, but I know that 5^th grade at the elementary schools, as well as all my students, really don’t have a problem with logging in under an individual user.  We also have VERY strict password requirements, so our student passwords are pretty complicated and the kids still do fine.  The only problem that I see with individuals logging in and out is that it takes a little more time – you can’t have the computers ready to go when the kids hit the door, but if I need every second of a class to count then I have then log in first, then do an activity while we wait for the computer to boot up.

Erin L. Glover, Librarian

James Buchanan Middle School

Mercersburg, PA

I am in a 6-8 grade building and we also now have to have the students log-in individually.  What I have done so far is use log-ins for 2 students that have moved this year so that I can let the card catalog open on 2 of my 12 machines.  For the AR quizzing, they have to log in and sometimes wait quite a long time.  Usually students that have this happen, try to quiz in a teacher's room in the future where the teacher is already logged in to the machine and they just get on to quiz.  I also have the Xtenda system, but mine is set up in 4s not 6s and sometimes it gets very slow and onery.  Let me know if anyone offers any viable solutions.

Thanks,

Sherry Hoy, Tuscarora JHS, Mifflintown, PA

I'm in a 4-6 building now.  Our computers were set up with individual logins at the beginning of the year last year.  We only have 6 OPAC desktops in a library that serves 1,100.  Each student had to log on and off to use the OPAC.  Needless to say this was a nightmare. The fourth graders were just learning how to use the OPAC, and the network was slow.  (The students share laptops with individual logins for research and document storage.)  I finally convinced the tech staff that generic was the way to go.  We have Macs and the tech dept. has locked down everything but Safari and Fire Fox. It seems to be working very well this way.

 At my previous school (5-8) we had generic logins (18 PCs) but we installed freeware that allowed us to view the stations remotely. You had to be on the ball, but I could usually tell when the darlings were up to something and then I'd take a peek at their screens.  I also made sure that each student had a unique AR password that they could not change.  I told the darlings that if someone else was logged into their AR account both of them would get in trouble.  If caught cheating I'd change their passwords and not tell it to them (or anyone else...even their teacher...)  They would have to have me login to AR for them every time they needed to take a test.  (I made one generic password that was easy for me to remember for the cheaters.) They hated this! Usually after a semester I'd give them a new password. We had no way for the students to store documents with this system though.

 Good Luck!

Beth

 I have 2 schools, a 4/5 and a 6/7/8. At the middle school, students need to use their user name and password to log into the computers for internet or applications use. We have 25 computers for this. We keep a record of the student user names and passwords for forgetful students. We also run a program called Screen Watch to monitor what they are viewing.

I do have 5 machines that are set up to open under the user name catalog and password books for accessing the computer catalog, but they can be entered through the student log in if necessary. Our 2 computer labs and the computer applications classrooom are set up the same way. We do sometimes run into problems when the student has logged on to a machine in the lab, and forgets to log off, and tries to log onto a machine in the library. Once the students get the idea, it works fine. We do require them to carry their agendas with them, and they write their user name and password in the agendas.

In the intermediate school, we have 12 student use computers in the library with open access, no student log in needed. We also have 2 computer labs in that building set up the same way.

 

Doug Francis

Maple Ave. Middle School Library

 

We do exactly what you're being asked to do. Each student logs on with his student number and a password they create at the beginning of the year, from a generic password reset done each summer. I have 14 computers in my library, and everything works fine. The kids are used to logging on and off; yes, sometimes it does take a bit of time until the computer recognizes a particular student if he hasn't been on that machine before. This is new for the kids when they come here in 7th grade, but they mostly get the hang of it quickly. You always have a few forgotten passwords which can muck up the works, but generally it's just not an issue. I do have one computer that is reserved just for the catalog - an old laptop that sits on the circ desk and is not used for anything else, so they don't have to log on to get to the catalog, and I have one old mac (the rest are pcs, although they are the last pcs in the building) that doesn't require a student log into get on the internet, so if there's a password issue but the student absolutely needs to get on the internet, we have access. Generally, I really like being able to warn the kids that the techs know who is on what computer and what you're searching at all times!

Nancy G. Nadig

Library Media Specialist

Manor Middle School

In our district, each student does have to log on individually when they use a computer.  I have 9 stand-alone computers, which I used to have them share for research lessons.  I was fortunate enough to obtain a laptop cart of 25 computers about a year ago, which has been a Godsend, of course!  Several students do still prefer the desktops, though.  They access the school's server with their username and password.  I haven't had any real issues with speed for OPAC use, possibly since they are all stand-alone.  Sometimes when we have lessons on Power Library and other online resources, we do have some lag time, though.  However, it's bearable, and I always demo it on my Promothean board with a laptop connected to that, so they can follow along, even if their individual computer and search is running slower.  We have a T1 line, but don't have "fiber" run to our end of the district yet, so we do experience some frustrating issues with that (slowness, Net unexpectedly being down, etc.).  They expect to have new fiber line run soon, which is supposed to help with those issues.  I don't know if any of that helps, but for what it's worth!  Have a beautiful day!!  :)

Joan Seely, Librarian

Cowanesque Valley High School

 

We have always had the individual log-ons.  They'll adapt to it.

Joanne K. Hammond, Librarian

Chambersburg Area Middle School

 

PVMS West encompasses grades 6-8. Our students need to log on with their own username and password. We have a bank of 24 computers in the main library area and 6 computers in a side room. Large classes must have some students use the side room computers. At this time we do not have a generic log in. I would like to have one computer with a generic log in for quick card catalog use.

Barbara Quintangeli

Library Media Specialist

PV Middle School West

 

I’m at an elementary school, but we serve K-6 at this level in our district.  We had the same sort of policy handed down to us a few years ago…We still use a “library” profile, but it has limited tech rights assigned to it.  The filter is bumped up a bit, I think, and students can’t get to anything except the Internet when they are logged on to library profile.  The browser even automatically opens to the district library catalog website, which is nice for when I’m turning the machines on in the morning.

Now, for research purposes, I always make them log in under their own names when they are here with a class.  Usually in that case I have the laptop cart signed out, but you didn’t mention if you have access to any laptops.  Logging on and off of machines is a hassle, and I’m guessing slower than molasses, but it does cover you if students are on websites they shouldn’t be.  The tech department then has a record of who went where and proof that they were logged onto that machine.  Maybe your tech could work something up that only allows them to navigate select websites that you tell them about, if it’s really an issue.  Just an idea…

Collette Adams, Teacher-Librarian

Spring Ridge Elementary School

 

Each student logs in each time they use a computer within West Chester. It has never been a problem and they are well-versed in how to log in since most of their computers have individual family members log in.

I usually have them sit in the same seats and allow time for their profiles to load. Though I was initially skeptical, it has worked out well when we had to find out which student (inadvertently) downloaded a virus.

Hope this helps…

Shirley

 

We have individual student logins.  This does create some down time, but most often it works well.  All of our student activities are monitored this way.

 

The biggest problem is getting the 7th graders to remember their logins. 

 

Jennifer Joy

Librarian

Neshannock Jr./Sr. High School

 

Each of our libraries has a generic login and password.  Nothing is saved on any machine when the machine is logged off at the end of the day.

 Sam

We very happily went to a generic log-in for only the library computers.  It takes too long between classes and for students to take a  reading counts test if they have to log-in and log-off.  We documented how much class time was eaten with the "security first" scene and we got our generic log-in back.  Good luck!  Hope you are as successful as we were.

 

Janet Johns

 

Janet Johns johnsj@pt-sd.org

Librarian

Peters Twp. Middle School

Hi,

We're a 6-8 building.  All students in our district are required to login individually. I know they start as early as third grade.  I don't know if they start younger or what the procedure is for the younger students.

From 3rd grade up, a student's username (first initial with last name and year of graduation) and password (5 letter word) stay the same each year as long as they are in our district.  Our middle school students need to login not only to the network, but also to our OPAC (Destiny). The username and password are the same for both.  Staff are given access to all student logins and passwords in case we need to help the few students who every once in awhile have problems loggin in. Problems could include:

having a space in front of the username or password, mistyping username or password, forgetting to add year of graduation to end of username, contrary computer that needs to be restarted, etc.  Hope this helps.

 

Vicki Mentzer, Library-Media Specialist

Gettysburg Area Middle School

 

 Forgive my late reply to your question. I encountered this same directive when I returned in August. Students were being required to log in as themselves whenever they used a library computer. After one day this system proved to be impractical. Students were forgetting to log out, computers were being locked when they forgot to log out, (and library staff did not have permission for the level necessary to unlock those computers), students couldn't input their information correctly, and it was taking a huge amount of staff time to trouble shoot this issue. For now we have gone back to a generic student log and password that is posted on each computer. That way they are following policy, logging on each time they use a computer, while not making a complete disaster of the library curriculum by not having to remember their personal logins.  Good luck with this - I was a lone voice stating what was best for the students, with not much support from my administrator. I feel strongly that using individual passwords for students in this age group in a library setting is too much, and had to go to the wall to forge that compromise that we have currently.

Pat Larish

Cocalico Middle School

Denver, PA 17517

OUR students login with their student name and  ID the first time and then forced to change the password.  They each have space on the “H” drive for saving work or documents.

Anne-

 

We are a 7-12 school and every student and employee has there own unique log in. This allows everyone to save items in their own folder and allows our tech administrator to monitor (if needed of course) student activity on the Internet.

Our upper elementary students have their own log in as well.

I am fortunate in that I have 23 (relatively) new computers, so sharing is rarely an issue.

Becky David

Librarian

Williams Valley Jr/Sr High School