SP Vouchers

daj · Post by **daj** » Thu Apr 23, 2009 11:00 am

Has anyone been able to buy discounted SP vouchers from a library other than the Mitchell in Glasgow?

The vouchers are apparently available at all libraries in Scotland, however the rather unhelpful lady at The Mitchell told me it is only their library that offer them.

She also had no vouchers! Well, technically she has a big box of them but only the renewal vouchers which you apparently can not buy unless you have bought a startup voucher and she has none of those.

I've emailed The Scottish Library and Information Council as they setup the scheme -- if I get a reply I will let you know, but was curious on other peoples successes or not

Moray_Lass · Post by **Moray_Lass** » Thu Apr 23, 2009 1:02 pm

Yes I have bought vouchers in the Elgin Library several times, but they are only available at a few Moray branches, and oddly enough not the Moray Heritage Centre, where I went to ask first. I had to buy a startup voucher first - so I now have two accounts on SP and I haven't tried using the vouchers with my original account.

rita · Post by **rita** » Thu Apr 23, 2009 1:10 pm

Hi Daj,
I bought a startup voucher from the Glasgow Vennel Heritage Centre in Irvine, Maybe the problem at the Mitchell is that people are only buying the startup voucher and not following up with the Topup or renewal, hence the big box of renewals.
The startup vouchers are £6 for 60 credits, thereafter around £4 for 30 credits for the continuous of your account.
I don't know yet of any others that issue them.
Rita.

daj · Post by **daj** » Thu Apr 23, 2009 3:59 pm

Moray_Lass wrote:Yes I have bought vouchers in the Elgin Library several times, but they are only available at a few Moray branches

Rita

Which branches? I spend weekends in my house in the highlands, not too far away from Elgin (would be worth the 30 minutes drive maybe)

Moray_Lass · Post by **Moray_Lass** » Thu Apr 23, 2009 4:41 pm

Sorry Daj

I can't remember

Tomintoul, I think, was one. Elgin was the only one useful to me, as I live 15min away and work there. Best bet is phone the Library and ask. At the time the heritage centre wasn't one, but they thought they might be eventually, so maybe all the branches have got them by now. If you are going into Elgin, go into the Library bit of the building and up the woodern stairs to the desk - they hadn't heard about it when I asked downstairs.

smiddykilry · Post by **smiddykilry** » Thu Apr 23, 2009 7:43 pm

Hi
I have got them from the A K Bell in Perth, startup and top up, as far as I know you can only use the top up one after you log in with the startup username.

smid

daj · Post by **daj** » Sat Apr 25, 2009 10:25 am

Update...

I received a reply from The Scottish Library and Information Council regarding the vouchers. They say they are awaiting delivery of new startup vouchers from the printers and it is taking longer than expected. She also confirmed to me that most libraries in Scotland participate in the scheme.

I suggested she contact The Mitchell library to let them know this.

She also said that they are very keen to continue this program and promote the discount scheme as much as possible.

The very kind woman also sent me a free startup account for SP with 60 credits for my trouble -- how nice was that.

Post by **SarahND** » Sat Apr 25, 2009 2:38 pm

daj wrote: The very kind woman also sent me a free startup account for SP with 60 credits for my trouble -- how nice was that.

=D> Well worth the wait, I'd say!

Can anyone go in and buy the vouchers at these discount prices or does one need to be a UK resident?

Regards,
Sarah

daj · Post by **daj** » Sat Apr 25, 2009 5:35 pm

SarahND wrote:
Can anyone go in and buy the vouchers at these discount prices or does one need to be a UK resident?

Well, I've been thinking about that one. Certainly you have to buy them in a Scottish Library.

However, i can't think what harm there would be in someone, say me, buying on behalf of someone

I have read the terms and conditions for the voucher scheme and also for the SP website; nothing prohibitive. The voucher is basically a card with a scratch off code on the back, so I guess it could be emailed or posted.

Clearly there is an element of trust between the two parties in the transaction.

LesleyB · Post by **LesleyB** » Sat Apr 25, 2009 7:02 pm

Hi David & Sarah

As far as I'm aware, and according to my local library, the first start-up card needs to be used IN the library when you create a SP account. You cannot use an existing SP account - it needs to be one you created when using the start-up voucher. In order to use the PCs in any library I know of, you have to be a member of that library. Some libraries appear to be easier to join that others e.g. one library I know of I cannot join, despite being born in that town, because I live outside the area, do not work in the town and do not pay rates (local taxes) to that particular area, although I was a member of that same library when I was a student in the area, as I lived there then! However, another library allowed me to join despite not living in their area....

After that, the top up cards can be used either in the library or at home all using the same SP account that was set up on the visit to the library.

Best wishes
Lesley