All of the University Libraries' 350 public workstations provide a set of audio and USB patch cables directly to the desktop near the monitor and keyboard. This means that customers can connect their peripherals easily, and listening to content is as simple as plugging headphones into the audio cable to hear instructional videos, DVDs, iTunes, podcasts, Ruckus music, or the latest CD from the University Libraries' Music Collection.

Providing these cables saves time for those who maintain the equipment, too. This is because many of the public access computers have audio and USB ports that are located on the backplane of the computer box, making access difficult. When customers move computers and unplug cables, connectivity is often interrupted, requiring that the unit be serviced to restore its operation. Bringing these popular cables directly to the desktop is a service to students and removes reasons for customers to plug into the computer box.

At the iMAC stations, the cable set also includes a Firewire cable for students and others who need to transfer rapidly digital video and other large amounts of data.

For more information, contact Bradley D. Faust, Ball State University Libraries' Assistant Dean for Library Information Technology Services, BFaust@bsu.edu, (765) 285-8032.

This newsletter article first appeared in The Library Insider 4(12): 6; December 2006.