[Publib] RE: circulation desks

[Christopher F. Bowen]

With our building expansion and renovation project in 1999 we created a checkout counter with all 5 stations at sitting height. It works great for patrons and staff! The first day we opened the doors to the new facility patrons came in and sat down at the circ counter to check out their materials as if it was the most natural thing in the world. We are a busy library with annual circ of +930,000 at one location. The big fear was that letting patrons sit down would slow things too much, but we have not had any problems with that at all. In fact the convenience has probably speeded transactions up. Parents with babies can hold the kid on their laps, instead of balancing it on the edge of the counter while searching for their cards. It is easier to sign library membership applications when sitting down, etc. Patrons don't have to sit down; many just talk up to a station, stand next to the chair, and place their materials on the counter.

It is also much more comfortable for staff. Standing height counters are never the right height for everyone. Shorter people have to work a level that is too high, and taller people have to scrunch down to work. With seated height counters it is much easier to adjust desk chairs for the appropriate height for each staff member. We experienced a huge decrease in repetitive motion issues, when we provide staff with good chairs and required them to actually adjust them.

I have given lots of tours of our building to staff from other libraries preparing for new buildings. In many cases I have found that circulation staff members really like the idea, and building consultants and architects really like the idea, but administrators (and sometimes trustees) are convinced that seated height circulation counters won't work and say no. I will confess that my initial reaction was no, when my circ. staff proposed it. Fortunately, one of the things I learned early on in the building project is that is a very good idea to pay attention to the staff who actually do the tasks, when designing their work areas.

By the way, Reference and Readers Advisory desks are all sitting height as well, with chairs for patrons to sit in. The edges of the desks are designed with room for the patron's knees, so it is comfortable for patrons. With flat screen monitors it is easy for staff to turn a computer screen to work with the patrons, and makes for a comfortable reference interview. We do about 7,000 reference questions per month --reference questions, we don't have time to count where is the bathroom, etc. - and patrons and staff like this arrangement too. Eye level, may work too, but again, it is harder for staff to adjust high stools, than good desk chairs. I have seen this type of service desk in other libraries, but don't like the reference fortress look, as well as normal desk heights, with chairs for patrons opposite staff.


Christopher F. Bowen
Library Director
Downers Grove Public Library
1050 Curtiss Street
Downers Grove, IL 60515-4606
630-963-2595


-----Original Message-----

Message: 6
Date: Tue, 21 Oct 2008 18:33:43 -0400
From: uma hiremath <umahiremath at hotmail.com>
Subject: [Publib] Circulation desks
To: <publib at webjunction.org>
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Hello!
Our library is currently under renovation and the Circulation Manager has suggested we take the opportunity to rethink the circ. desk and plan a low one where staff can sit and do the check-ins and check-outs.

Anyone out there who has worked with low circ. desks? Feedback would be most welcome!

Best,
Uma Hiremath
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