£260,000 Highland library public-access computer revamp complete
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A MAJOR £260,000 project to bring public-access computers in Highland libraries up to date has been completed.
New, faster and more user-friendly computers have replaced 175 PCs used by thousands of people across the region each year.
Electronics specialists Fujitsu worked with Highland Council and High Life Highland on the upgrade of software for the machines, which includes allowing users to edit video and photographs, as well as download from the library e-book and e-audio book sites.
IT workers replaced four servers, which involved a complex procedure to manage access, age-appropriate web filtering and software, and upgraded all printers at the same time as rolling out the new PCs.
Fujitsu and the council developed a partnership during the £66 million programme to upgrade the authority’s office and school networks. The library upgrades were done in addition to that contract.
“This was a major undertaking to refresh the public access computers across such a wide geographical area,” said Alastair Millar, Fujitsu service manager on the council project.
“However these PCs are extremely well used and can be vital for people who need access to a computer but don’t have a home PC, as well as visitors to the area.
“The new machines will make a huge difference to users and provide faster and more reliable facilities for communities.”
Logging on to the new machines will work in exactly the same way as before, as will the length of sessions available.
Another significant benefit to users is the ability to install their own software on the machines. As before, the PCs are restored to their original clean state at the end of their session to protect privacy.
Council convener Jimmy Gray described the work as: “empowering communities in the Highlands by delivering progressive and innovative library services.”
The system has also been re-designed to allow new software to be installed or removed remotely rather than having to visit each PC manually as before.
The council-funded project was managed by High Life Highland, a charitable trust established to deliver a region-wide suite of community learning and leisure services on behalf of the local authority and it operates a network of 61 community and school libraries across the region.
“I am sure the benefit will be felt by users for many years to come,” said Linda Kirkland, chairwoman of the High Life Highland board.
