[Publib] Suggestions on Book Bins for Better Ergonomics?

[Lefkofsky, Anne, DCA]

Greetings from the NM State Library - we are avid followers of PUBLIB!

 

I'd like to ask for your wisdom on a circulation workflow question from
one of our public libraries.  This site has one of the highest circ and
gate counts in the state.   

 

The library is in a newer building. It's circulation desk is an "island"
located near the site's entrance, and away from the workroom.  Unlike a
number of companion libraries in the area (which link the inside book
drop to the circ workroom via rollers for discharging), in this library
book drop returns go into bins at the service island.  The depressible
bins have cloth liners, and are 30" tall.  

 

The manager reports that staff stand up when checking in books, and do
this at any available computer at the service desks or in the back work
area.  She notes further that staff "must bend over and pick up books,
then twist forward to check them in".   The spring loaded feature in the
bins "doesn't bring the books up very high... about 22 inches off the
ground... I think the tension on the liners loosens over time".  The key
concern emerging in this work flow is the potential for back injuries.

 

The manager is thinking that they have the wrong height and style of bin
for the ergonomics involved in their circ workflow.  The current bins
seem to be designed for sit down work.  She'd like any advice you all
would be willing to share on:

 

1.	Whether or not bins that are 39" tall with a floating tray or
platform would be better than the cloth liner bins.  She's curious to
know if the spring load in the platform or tray models hold their
tension better over the years.
2.	Also - Has someone developed a good way to move lots of material
(in a similar set up) with minimal physical impact to staff (esp. to
their backs).

 

Many thanks for your consideration - and any solutions you could
suggest!

 

Anne

 

 

Anne E. Lefkofsky

Development Services Bureau Director

New Mexico State Library

Garrey Carruthers Building

1209 Camino Carlos Rey

Santa Fe, NM 87507

Ph: 505.476.9720 / Fax: 505.476.9721  

anne.lefkofsky at state.nm.us <mailto:anne.lefkofsky at state.nm.us> 

 

 



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