Evansville library system upgrading computers with windfall

— If you notice the desktop computers in the Evansville Vanderburgh Public Library system disappear over the next couple of months, don't panic — it's part of how the library plans to use an unexpected $1 million it's scheduled to get this year.

Thin clients will replace those desktops, the library's surveillance system will be buttressed and more than a half-million dollars will be set aside for rainy days, library officials said, thanks to a state budget error.

"It's allowed us to move forward with this project much sooner than we would have," library information technology manager Brett Schelhorn said about the thin-client plans, which were made final at the library board meeting last week.

While desktops perform their own computational tasks, thin clients rely largely on servers to do so.

As such, they use less power, have longer life spans and cost less than what the library had been paying for its desktop/monitor packages, according to Schelhorn.

The library had already planned to phase in the thin clients gradually over the next few years, but now approximately 240 user stations at its eight libraries will have them this fall.

"We were very pleased with it," library spokeswoman Amy Mangold said about the $593,000 it received in April and the $404,000 it will receive through December.

The money is county-option income tax — or COIT — revenue, which the state collects yearly from Hoosiers' paychecks and then distributes monthly to counties and their taxing districts.

Like the local airport and levee authority, the library is a taxing district that receives COIT funds.

In April, the Indiana Department of Revenue revised COIT distribution amounts higher for 2011 and 2012 because of a computer error. The $206 million error brought about $6.6 million to Vanderburgh County for 2011 and the first four months of 2012.

Library officials said there are several benefits to the thin clients.

The desktops there now use about 250 watts of electricity, while the thin clients use about 68 watts, Schelhorn said.

Desktops' life spans range from three to five years, and may require part repairs and replacement.

The thin clients max out around seven years, Schelhorn said, and there aren't many replaceable parts.

"Once they die, you replace the whole thing," Schelhorn said.

The thin clients are built into the monitor, Schelhorn said — similar to the old tube-TV Macs, but a lot thinner.

That all-in-one thin client package costs $525, while the desktops and monitors purchased in 2008 cost $962, Schelhorn said.

While library visitors may not see the cost savings and other benefits, Schelhorn said they'll see a bigger monitor.

"It's increasing from 17 inches to 24 inches," he said.

About 40 catalogue-only stations have already been converted to thin-clients.

Of the $404,000 it will see though December, $236,000 will pay for the thin clients and additional security cameras at an undisclosed location.

As for the remaining $168,000 expected through December, Mangold said that will go into the library operating fund and what's left will be appropriated at the end of the year.

Ranked a Top 10 library in the 2010 edition of Hennen's American Public Library Ratings, the EVPL sees about 1.9 million visits a year, Mangold said.

It saw 958,489 visits through this June, about 6.5 percent higher than the same period last year.

Material checkouts — 1.5 million through June — are also up 6 percent. Its program attendance is up 45 percent compared to last year, Mangold said.

"Anytime that we have either gifts from the foundation or money that we were not expecting that come to the library that help us further our services ... ," Mangold said, "is definitely something that we are excited about and embrace, for sure."

© 2012 Evansville Courier & Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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Comments » 12

Uptowngirl writes:

What are they going to do with the old ones? Come on, C&P.

GenX writes:

in response to Uptowngirl:

What are they going to do with the old ones? Come on, C&P.

EVPL periodically has an equipment sale, if you follow them on Twitter or Facebook they're sure to announce it on there when the time comes.

StayClassyEvansville2010 writes:

Great! Now can you clear out the loudmouths and those who blast their music over their headphones. Its a shame you can't even study in peace at our libraries.

armstrongres writes:

Could the money be used to pay down the bond debt? Reminder that the library gets 11% of our property tax payment every year. Wonder what it was before the Taj Mahal was built downtown? It fell under misc. back then.

gravedigger writes:

Over estimated confiscated tax dollars should be returned or used to pay down debt. When will we learn to quit spending?

As a responsible individual with debt, wouldn't it make sense to use unforeseen funds to pay off some debt? Or would you go buy a new car?

StayClassyEvansville2010 writes:

Glad to see the baggers are out. We know you can't read, so you have no use for a library. But there are those of us who don't mind paying for this. So please, kindly, shut your trap.

JMNSHO writes:

in response to gravedigger:

Over estimated confiscated tax dollars should be returned or used to pay down debt. When will we learn to quit spending?

As a responsible individual with debt, wouldn't it make sense to use unforeseen funds to pay off some debt? Or would you go buy a new car?

They were not "over estimated confiscated" tax dollars. They were taxes due and properly paid. The error was that the state failed to return them to the counties properly.

I can, though, understand your concern for paying down debt; you make a valid point there. At least they're not using it to add on to their facilities, thus creating new ongoing costs for maintenance and utilities.

pocketninja writes:

I have never understood the need for libraries in the modern age. They were good in pioneer times when books were expensive and travel distances were great. When you go to a library now all you see are people getting free DVD's and using the free internet.

Except it's not free. This is socialism pure and simple. We have bookstores and stores that sell and rent DVD's and stores that sell computers. Why should the taxpayer be subsidizing something that competes with local businesses. I like to eat at nice restaurants. Should the city and the taxpayers build a nice restaurant that I can eat in for free. Tell me how that is not the same thing.

CitizenSoldier91 writes:

in response to pocketninja:

I have never understood the need for libraries in the modern age. They were good in pioneer times when books were expensive and travel distances were great. When you go to a library now all you see are people getting free DVD's and using the free internet.

Except it's not free. This is socialism pure and simple. We have bookstores and stores that sell and rent DVD's and stores that sell computers. Why should the taxpayer be subsidizing something that competes with local businesses. I like to eat at nice restaurants. Should the city and the taxpayers build a nice restaurant that I can eat in for free. Tell me how that is not the same thing.

Libraries are socialist? hahaha

CitizenSoldier91 writes:

in response to gravedigger:

Over estimated confiscated tax dollars should be returned or used to pay down debt. When will we learn to quit spending?

As a responsible individual with debt, wouldn't it make sense to use unforeseen funds to pay off some debt? Or would you go buy a new car?

What debt? Neither the state, nor Vanderburgh County is in debt. So what imaginary debt should we pay off? haha

ThomasPaine writes:

What vendor will be providing(selling) the new computers to the EVPL ?

squidward writes:

Should pay workers @ EVPL a decent wage.

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