When a patron registers to use a workstation on an Odyssey system they go to the end of the line. On an Odyssey
system there can be multiple lines. For example a library might have workstations in several areas of the library.
They also might reserve some workstations for particular purposes. When the patron registers they have the option of
selecting the type of workstation or location in the library where they want to work. A mother with young
children may prefer using a workstation in the childrens' area, whereas a high school student might prefer a
workstation in the young adult area.
The Odyssey Queue Manager uses the patron's preference to assign them to a queue associated with the
type of workstation they have selected. As soon as the patron is put into a queue they can log on to the type of
workstation selected when they become first in line. In fact the patron first in line is the only patron in that queue
allowed to log on to that particular type of workstation until their priority log on time is exhausted. Typically
this might be 3 to 5 minutes although the library can set it to any time they feel is most suitable.
Once the first patron's priority period is exhausted, the patron is still allowed to log on to a free workstation.
The second patron in line, can also log on to a free station if they get to it before the first person arrives.
The second person in line also has a priority log on period and remains in the queue until they have logged on or
have reached the end of the allowed log on period.
(click to enlarge)
