[Publib] "New Library" questions

[Dale McNeill]

I think it's a great idea to get suggestions!  Of course, you'll want to do
what makes the most sense in your community.

Most libraries I've worked in, if the bookdrop goes into the building, have
locked it.  I've never understood the logic, exactly--unless the bookdrop
was added later and just goes into the main room.  To me, it makes more
sense to offer people options.

You might, if budget allows, have a book return with automated check in.
This can be done with barcodes--it doesn't require RFID. In that way, the
materials could be checked in and the customer's account cleared without any
staff involvement.

The bookdrop in the library I used as a child was a drive by bookdrop--the
library was designed in the late 1950s.  The book return went into the
garage/storage area of the library and was always open.  My mother found it
extremely convenient to be able to return material without going in the
library--as my brother and I would generally want to stay in the library for
at least an hour!  I later worked in that same library and found that most
customers loved the drive by bookdrop.  This was not a staffed window, but a
simple slot in the wall.

For the doors, and other accomodations, with a new building, I would want to
design the building with the idea of "total access".  Basically, this is the
idea that everyone can use everything (to the greatest extent possible).
Using this concept, you would want doors to be able to be used by people
with stroller, people using wheelchairs, people who use canes, children
coming to the library on their own, and so on.

Regards,

Dale

who has helped plan many library buildings, but hasn't yet seen the perfect
one!

On Fri, Feb 13, 2009 at 1:43 PM, Natalie Morgan <morgan at boerne.lib.tx.us>wrote:

>  Hi All,
>
> As I mentioned before, we're in the process of designing our new building
> in Boerne, TX. Our architects continue to ask us tough questions that we're
> not sure how to answer. First, how many of you lock your book drops during
> business hours, and what are the pros and cons of your decision to do so?
> Also, do you have special doors at your entrance for ADA purposes as well as
> strollers? Thanks so much for any help you can send our way!
>
> *Natalie Morgan
> Assistant Library Director*
>
>
>
>
>
>
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