Lyceum online system up, running Lyceum online system up, running (February 04, 2004)

** Still time to sign up for events, family field trips

By Marjorie Mader
Almanac Staff Writer

The new online registration system for the Menlo Park Lyceum's offerings of events for children and families opened on schedule January 24, hit a snag a little later, but was back on track in a few hours.

"Even with the (new) system slowing down, people said they preferred sitting with a cup of coffee in their own warm home instead of standing in line in the rain to register," said Sally Cooper, president of the Lyceum, a parent-run nonprofit group that offers educational activities for children and field trips for families.

Online registration "didn't go as smoothly as we had hoped, but we're very pleased," said Ms. Cooper. Already 200 families have registered for 1,250 of the 3,200 places; 18 events are full; but there's still openings for events that start in February and continue through May.

Within minutes of an SOS call, the Lyceum's online registration providers responded and had all issues fixed within hours, said Ms. Cooper. The big problem was that various browsers other than Internet Explorer either didn't work or went very slowly.

People understand this is a new system, said JuneAn Lanigan, Lyceum treasurer. Already, the Lyceum has data about participants' ages and addresses, and what programs are popular, she said. The new system will automatically send out reminder notices to participants in advance of the event.

INFORMATION

Families and children from kindergarten through ninth grade have until 11 p.m. Sunday, February 8, to register for Lyceum field trips and other events. To register, go to www.menlopark-lyceum.org. For more information, call 361-0221.

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