Infopeople - Archive June 1994 to June 1995: Re: 900 Numbers

Re: 900 Numbers

Al Carlson (sanjocar@CLASS.ORG)
Thu, 1 Jun 1995 20:51:46 -0700 (PDT)

Chris,
We use a 900 number for our DialPAC in the San Joaquin Valley Library
System, a consortium of 8 public libraries. Our total 'surface area' is
somewhat bigger than Switzerland, so a local call for everyone we serve
was out of the question. We could not afford an 800 number, so we got a
900 number through PacBell (our primary telco, but not our only telco)
and set up a charge we hoped would let us break even. So far use has
been light, so we are 'losing' about $30 dollars a month. We can afford
that, so it's not a real issue. Actually, we've gotten over 100 calls a
month for the past three months, so we're closer to breaking even. We
charge 50 cents the first minute and 8 cents for each additional minute.
If I were setting up charges now, I'd change that, but it's not worth
hassling with now.

We got our 900 number from PacBell because that was the kneejerk thing to
do. It turned out to be a good choice, though you may find better ones.
People who are served by ConTel or some of the other small independent
phone companies cannot reach our 900 number because they do not have the
proper contract with PacBell for fund transfers. Remember that 900
numbers were designed to make money, not to break even.

However, if we went to an InterExchange Carrier like AT&T or Sprint, our
rates would triple, and we'd have to charge more. We could then be
reached by anyone in the US, but that's a pointless advantage. Few
people in North Dakota would be moved to call us.

A 900 number was sort of a pain to set up. Hardly anyone we talked to
seemed to know what they were doing. But once it was up and running, it
just works. We get a bill and information on the number of calls and
total minutes each month. They do not come together, and we had to ask
for the report on calls and minutes.

If you need more data, call me at work on Friday. 209-488-3462.

Al Carlson
Automated System Manager
San Joaquin Valley Library System The ball is hardly ever
California, USA where it should be, but
sanjocar@class.org it's always where it is.
VOX 209-488-3462 FAX 209-488-2965 --Timothy Gallwey

On Thu, 1 Jun 1995, South State Coop. Library System wrote:

>
> A member librarian has asked me to enquire about the
> use of 900 numbers in libraries. Any of you know any
> libraries which are using them now? If so, for what?
> How are the projects going? What are plans for
> continuation--for how long? Has any money been
> made?
>
> I have a very short deadline on this one, so if
> you have any knowledge in this area, if you could
> respond by Friday (June 2, 1995), it would be
> greatly appreciated. Please respond to:
>
> Chris Cockroft
> Reference Coordinator
> South State Cooperative
> Library System
> Los Angeles, California
> ssclsref@class.org
> p (213) 583-1292
> f (213) 583-2314
>
> Thank you for your help.
>
>