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Purpose – The purpose of this article is to encourage public librarians to consider replacing two service desks with one. Design/methodology/approach – The author interacts with his experience of providing library services from a two-story Carnegie library and a multi-desk one-story library to make an argument for a single service desk. Findings – Providing one service point creates a seamless experience for patrons and necessitates teamwork from all service staff – professional and non-professional. Originality/value – Offers a "common-sense" perspective on providing reference and circulation services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this article is to encourage public librarians to reconsider the future value of their paper book collections. Design/methodology/approach – The author interacts with developing trends to make an argument for supporting paper book collections in the digital age. Findings – The liquidation of Borders Group Inc. provides the public library with an opportunity to market its paper collections to publishers and paper book buyers. Originality/value – The article offers a contrarian perspective on the enduring value physical book collections will play in the digital age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to encourage caution when considering plans to migrate from physical materials to e-materials. Design/methodology/approach – The author's argument to encourage caution when considering plans to migrate from physical materials to e-materials is based on published statistics and personal observation. Findings – When considering current usage of e-books in comparison to physical materials, the usage of e-books is statistically insignificant. Originality/value – Offers statistical evidence that e-books will not supplant, now or in the foreseen future, the demand for physical materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to encourage annual dramatic visual change. Design/methodology/approach – The author incorporates principles of retail merchandising and his experience in retail grocery to make the argument for annual dramatic visual change. Findings – A recent reset of the children's collection led to increased circulation, improved staff contact with patrons, and a project narrative to share with elected officials. Originality/value – The paper offers anecdotal evidence from a unique experience as a grocery retail clerk that annual dramatic visual change boosts the library's status in the community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to encourage substantive personal interaction with public library patrons. Design/methodology/approach – The argument for implementing a service model based on personal interaction is presented. Findings – By using the story of a library cat, library staff can replicate a similar emotional bond and loyalty with its patrons. Originality/value – Affectionate animals can teach us a lot about ourselves and help to improve service to library patrons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]