Originally posted November 2010.
If you are considering an upgrade of your Patron computers from Microsoft XP, you will want to know about TechSoup for Libraries! Specifically, you may be eligible for donated technology:
In these tough economic times, TechSoup’s product donation program can help stretch your library’s budget. Products are available to all public libraries that are listed in the IMLS database and/or have a valid 501(c)(3) nonprofit status. Learn More
Along with Microsoft products, TechSoup has dozens of other software programs available, including Intuit QuickBooks 2010. We can help you register your library and make your first order. While the process can be complicated, the software discounts are well worth the effort. TechSoup even provides an overview of the entire process. Call Heather if you want additional assistance.
Why is NEKLS moving away from group software license purchases? We found that you save more by buying direct from TechSoup. For example, Windows 7 would cost NEKLS $49 per license, but you can buy it direct for $12. As Helen at Beck-Bookman Library discovered, “We went ahead and purchased Windows upgrades and Office 2007 that can upgrade to 2010. We paid $300 for $9,000 worth of software. WOW.”
With all good deals, there are a few catches. According to TechSoup:
Microsoft has partnered with TechSoup to donate a wide variety of software products to public libraries. Microsoft donations for public libraries are intended only for public access computers. For more information, see the Microsoft Restrictions for the Software Donation Program for Nonprofits and Public Libraries.
Specifically for public libraries, the TechSoup/Microsoft agreement states “Qualified public libraries may request Microsoft software donations through this program for public access computers only (donated software may not be used for back-office or other administration purposes, unless the public computers are on a shared network which also hosts the personal computers of library staff). Also, eligible organizations “may make two donation requests within a two-year period.” More information is available about the ordering schedule for Microsoft products.
The NEKLS Tech Team can help you determine if your public computers are on a shared network that also hosts the staff’s personal computers. For those instances when staff computers will need separate licenses, Heather Braum will continue to manage a smaller group software purchasing program through NEKLS.
What about upgrading to Microsoft Office 2010? I would recommend that you seriously consider LibreOffice for your patron computer’s as this open source software program match Microsoft Office 2003 in look and feel. It can open Office 2010 (.docx) documents and WordPerfect documents and be configured to save documents in Microsoft Office formats. Plus, as open source software…it’s free. Curious to know more? Here is a head-to-head comparison of Microsoft Office v. OpenOffice – OpenOffice was recently bought by Oracle, so is technically not open source, but the comparison still may be of interest. If you do decide to purchase Microsoft Office, you can get either 2007 or 2010 for $24-$31 per license.
NEKLS will continue to provide up to 20 licenses of Deepfreeze for Windows and 20 licenses of Anti-virus (currently enod) at no charge. Libraries using more than 20 licenses will be billed each year for the software licenses and maintenance fees.
