3. Why Pi?
⢠A general purpose desktop ranges in price
from $300-$600.
⢠OPACs are only needed to browse the libraryâs
catalog â a lot of the features on a GP desktop
are unnecessary.
⢠Raspberry Pis (RPs) have a base cost of
approximately $39, and can be outfitted with
cables and case for under $100.
4. Cost Breakdown â Two Choices
Item Cost
Raspberry Pi B+ $39.95
Case $8.95
8GB SD card (x2) $29.98
HDMI cable $4.95
VGA to HDMI
$18.95
adapter
WiFi Dongle $8.50
Power Supply $7.95
TOTAL $119.23
Item Cost
CanaKit â includes
Raspberry Pi B+,
Case, Power
Supply, WiFi
adapter, HDMI
cable, and 8GB SD
card
$59.99
8GB SD card $14.99
VGA to HDMI
$18.95
adapter
TOTAL $93.93
ALREADY HAVE
SD Card Reader ď˝ Monitor (VGA) ď˝ Keyboard ď˝ Mouse
When smaller projectors get upgraded, we will have 2 VGA/HDMI adapters
5. Location
We could
ask Dominic
to build us
a shelf to
secure the
RP and
cords.
ADA
accessible
OPAC â
currently
only really
have in YSD.
9. Locking them Down?
⢠RPs have a built-in kiosk mode that can be turned
on. They can be set up to go right into a full-screen
browser.
⢠Create a user login so that patrons canât access
the root login.
⢠Physically secure RP using whatever apparatus we
use to house the user peripherals - make an
âouter caseâ to secure board and cords, while still
making it accessible for staff to do
troubleshooting.
10. But Linux! Code! Ahh!
⢠The Raspberry Pi Foundation, who makes RP,
is all about Education.
⢠The original intention was to make a small,
affordable computer so kids could learn how
to code.
⢠This means there are tons of articles, blog
posts, and forums on how to set up and
troubleshoot your Pi.
11. What About Staff Time?
⢠We should be able to get a RP set up and
configured in about 4-8 hours.
⢠This translates to $69.44-$138.88 worth of
staff time (VS Librarian).
⢠This is still cheaper than having our IT perform
the set-up.
12. IT Support?
⢠Ed is familiar with RP (he has two of them
himself) so would be able to help
troubleshoot if needed.
⢠RPs is run on Linux, so anyone with an
understanding of Linux should be able to do
tech support.
13. What Else Could We Do?
⢠Set up a retro gaming station for
kids/teens/adults.
⢠Digital Signage
⢠Include a RP in a mini maker-space.
⢠Programs (run by http://workshop88.com/ -
they did one for St. Charles)
14. Summary
⢠Adding additional endcap OPAC stations
would be more financially reasonable with
RPs, at roughly $100 per computer.
⢠Would be âjust enoughâ computer to serve
the necessary purpose.
⢠Plenty of âhow toâ out there to help us along
in getting set-up.
⢠Potentially for expanding to replace the
plasma screen computer.