[Michlib-l] Responses-Library by appointment

[Angela Badke]

Hi All!
Thank you so much to all the library directors/managers who responded to my inquiry about doing library by appointment. Nineteen libraries responded, and everybody gave slightly different answers and ways of doing. A few also gave alternatives to the by-appointment options. The super summarized version of the responses are below. The full responses are attached in a word doc. If you cannot open the word doc, please feel free to email me directly and I can send it to you directly. :)


Responses—Quick notes version

1. What are you doing/how are you handling making appointments? Do patrons call in, set up an appointment online, use an app, etc.?

·         The majority of libraries that responded just have patrons call in and they write them in on a sign-up sheet. A few do email as well, or use some kind of scheduler/app. Only two libraries noted if they require a sign up a day before; majority stated same day appointments was doable.

2. How long are your appointment times? How long in between appointment sessions?

·         30 minutes was the majority response, followed by 1 hour. About half of respondents allowed for 15-30 minutes in between appointments to tidy up/sanitize; the other half did not schedule time in between to clean as there was usually down time to do it after the patrons left.

3. Cleaning in between appointments? Or, just scheduled times (multiple) each day?

·         Majority cleaned in between appointments; some very small libraries stated they had multiple cleanings throughout the day.

4. Do you offer appointments for computers only, with patrons being allowed to quickly browse stacks “as normal”? Or, are you offering for both browsing and computer use?

·         Computer only was the majority response followed by a combination of appointments for browsing and computer use. A few have multiple different types of appointments with different time slots/scheduling going at once—circulation services (library card sign up, passports, printing/photocopying, etc.), browsing, and computer.

5. Any challenges that you’ve found doing by-appointment only? (Other than not being able to let people in when they want to come in)

·         Top challenge:

o   It’s slow! Not as many people as we hoped!

·         Other challenges:

o   Social distancing issues—getting too close to people needing computer help, staff trying to maneuver around patrons near entrances (one exit/entrance available)

o   Curbside became too much for staff

OR, watching the door/needing a doorbell or something similar.

o   Patrons wished to browse during their services/computer appointments and not able to.

o   Only one person/family allowed in at one time due to library space.


Alternatives to Appointment only:

  *   Grab n Go browsing/Walk-in browsing—those libraries that suggested this all stated patrons get 30 minutes to browse the collection.
  *   No browsing, but can come in to do other services, the computers, or a small study area. Limited to 30 minutes unless in the small study space.
  *   Lockers w/key code access for patrons to pick-up materials regardless if staff is available. Doing appointments wasn’t feasible due to number of locations and number of staff available (tribal library w/multiple locations and only 3 staff members).

Thank you again to all those who replied!
Angela


Librarian
Ojibwa Community Library
Keweenaw Bay Indian Community
409 Superior Ave.
Baraga, MI 49908
906-353-8163
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