I received several responses to my call for Idea Book entries. I was happy to receive responses from a variety of library staff, including a student worker, part-time Reference and Instruction Librarian and an Administrator.
Idea Book at Student Tech Assistant Desk
I taped a Book to the shared Student Tech Assistants’ desk and asked the students to write down their suggestions for improving the library. Above, you can see our student assistant, Leigh Cignavitch, illustrates suggestions for improving access, usability and maintenance of the printers.
Below are some suggestions from a part-time Reference and Instruction Librarian, who spends a great deal of time answering reference questions either in person at the Reference Desk or online via chat reference.
1. Make ebooks easier to find and access in the catalog. Right now, it is not obvious at all in the catalog record where one needs to go in order to open the ebook.
2. Create a clearer distinction for patrons between Reference and Circulation Desks. Maybe replacing the “Ask Here” signs with signs that say “Research Help.” Carnegie Public Libraries label their circulation desks as “Customer Service” desks. This needs to be addressed on virtual chat as well.
3. Guest users need to be able to receive cash refunds from printers and copiers. Business Office only issues refunds to ID cards (obvious problem for guests). Maybe we should have a petty cash fund for this.
More ideas: