Boston Public Library Introduces New Service Kiosks Along With Software Upgrades to Public-Use Terminals

From a BPL Announcement:

Taking place now through the end of the calendar year is a series of upgrades to the technologies used by the public each day, including new pay-for-print service kiosks, desktop software upgrades with Windows 7 and Microsoft Office, and high-tech multifunction printing, copying, and scanning devices.
The new service kiosks are one of the most noticeable additions to the twenty-four branches and the Central Library in Copley Square. The bright red kiosks are part of the library’s upgraded pay-for-print system and have several features, including the introduction of paying for printing via standard credit and debit cards.
The upgraded pay-for-print system offers the capability to submit print jobs from laptops on the Boston Public Library free WIFI network.
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In addition to the new equipment being deployed at libraries citywide, there are also significant software upgrades being applied to the more than 800 free public-use computers in the Boston Public Library system. All computers will have upgraded operating systems, updated and new internet browsers, quick-links to career-related websites, and a range of creativity and productivity software. Free computer access time has been expanded citywide to 120 minutes per day per user, an increase from 60 minutes.
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In addition to upgrades to Windows 7 and Microsoft Office, Boston Public Library computers are in the process of being loaded with Google Chrome browser and Internet Explorer version 11; links to career sites such as Indeed.com, Monster.com, and Careerbuilder.com; and software such as Adobe Reader, Paint.net, iTunes, QuickTime, Windows Media, and others.

Filed under: Digital Preservation, Jobs, Libraries, News, Productivity, Public Libraries