When the library becomes the largest computer lab on campus: Supporting productivity software in an academic environment

Supporting productivity software in an academic environment by Krista Graham M ost c ontem porary academ ic libraries provide com puter w orkstations to al low patrons to access electronic research tools. Typically, users are able to use library worksta tions to access electronic versions o f the catalog, online indexes and abstracts, reference tools, online journals, and electronic books. In addi tion, libraries often provide Internet access for research purposes. However, in order to ensure that workstations are available for research, li braries often leave the provision of productivity software (i.e., word processing, spreadsheets, and presentation tools) to campus computer labs.