Steam PC Café: Patron Experience
Guide to the Patron Experience when using the Steam PC Café service at your library
Step-by-step guide
Patron BYOD
When using their own device, patrons should connect to the wireless SSID dedicated for the games service. This wireless SSID will be connected to the same network as your Steam PC Café server. Marmot will create this network if your library utilizes Marmot’s IT Services. Otherwise, your IT department can contact Marmot for configuration best practices
Once the patron is connected, they can launch their Steam client using their personal Steam account. In their game library, the Library collection will appear at the top
The patron can then install any listed game. The library server will act as a download cache, so if the game has been access previously, it can greatly reduce the download time for the patron
Once a game is installed, the patron can play the game as long as there are licenses available and they are connected to the library’s network
Game progress is tied to the patron’s account. If they leave and come back, they will be able to access their saved games
Patrons can leave a game installed on their computer, but they will need to be connected to the library’s network to continue playing
The Steam Client will log out the patron on a restart (even on their own computer). This is by design and meant to protect the patron’s account if it happened to be used on a public-use computer
Library-owned Public Computing and Steam
Using Steam requires the user have administrative rights on the computer. Granting these rights to the general public account poses some security risks. Attempting to find a workaround to this issue and allow applications like Steam on general public computers is on our project list, but there is no ETA on a possible solution at this time. If Steam-capable library-owned devices is desired, we strongly recommend that these device be highly monitored and not leave staff oversight for lengthy periods of time.
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