Tips for Buying Your Public Access Computer(s)

This is a good time to be thinking about the public access computer(s) you will buy when you receive the Gates Hardware grant funds this July. 

Funds May Be Used For:

Libraries may use these funds to support the purchase of desktop computers, printers, peripherals, training and technical support needed to provide free computer and Internet access to the public. Libraries may use funds to purchase laptops if the targeted number of public workstations is achieved. Libraries may use the funds to support the library's public hardware infrastructure (e.g. servers or other network related items).

Funds May Not Be Used For:

Funds may not be used for replacing or upgrading staff-only computers or infrastructure. Funds cannot be used for connectivity upgrades, ongoing connectivity costs, or non-hardware related items such as MP3 players.

Tips

Marie Harms, Library Consultant, has prepared the following information for you:

• Libraries need to negotiate pricing and availability with their choice of vendors. Libraries should ask for WSCA pricing. Pronounced "whisk-ah", this is the Western States Contracting Alliance. Participating states join together to achieve cost-effective and efficient acquisition of quality products and services. The State of Iowa is a participant and some vendors are willing to extend WSCA pricing to local governments.
• Desktop and laptop computers can have many different configurations, so it is difficult to specify one set of configurations for each library. In general, computers should have at least an Intel 3.4 GHz or comparable AMD processor, 1GB or 2GB DDR2 SDRAM, and 80GB SATA hard drive. There are many other options in configuring a computer for public use.
• Also ask about extended warranties. Many systems come with a 2-3 year warranty, but this could possibly be extended to 4-5 years at little extra cost.
• Please contact Marie Harms to discuss specific options. Marie can consult on the best computer and peripherals for your library. Marie will also review a quote with you.