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In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Oklahoma State University Library developed an open-source application to record real-time building capacity. Library student security tracks building entrances and exits via the program, with current visitor numbers appearing on the library's website via an API. This effort helps administrators have a clear picture of building capacity during opening hours for data-driven decision-making and provides users information regarding the library's level of activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In most libraries, the Circulation Desk and the Reference Desk have a complicated relationship. Their physical proximity to each other can affect where patrons go to get assistance and what kinds of questions they ask. Murphy Library at the University of Wisconsin—La Crosse has had the Reference Desk in three different locations in the last five years. In this article an analysis is provided that examines how the different locations have affected the nature and number of questions asked at the Circulation Desk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A discussion of long-term thefts in the library suggested creating a highly punitive policy that captures the dynamics of the context through a holistic approach. The study inquired about how the penalty regime affects the attitudes of students and library staff toward fines. Data was collected through in-depth interviews to reveal three groups' attitudes: offenders, principled users, and staff. Twenty staff were interviewed, and forty of the students interviewed were registered users, 20 of whom had previously been fined for attempting to steal books, while the rest had no record of policy violations. The findings show that 30% of students were aware of the existence of the written policy only after being punished, which indicates that they were not given proper library orientation at the outset. The paper discusses how heavy fines and banishment from the library impacted attitudes toward the services offered in the building. Feedback from participants can be part of an early warning system used to maintain a high-level of service quality minimizing security issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The academic library, given its often privileged position on campus, is the information source that can include directional as well as general campus facts among the myriad of print and e-resources for reference. Also, an academic library's audiences can be quite varied and include prospective students or parents seeking more general knowledge of the building and the campus. Many times this need for information drives patrons to the library service desks. Sometimes, especially during the high-demand seasons of new student orientation and beginning of the fall semesters, the desk is so busy that many patrons will leave because they don't have the time to wait. To address this immediate need for information, Texas Tech University Libraries developed an interactive kiosk to provide general information for frequently asked questions in a more efficient, creative, and interactive way. The kiosk provides a fun method of satisfying a patron's information needs without the requirement of a staff member or the need to wait in line for help. The kiosk is available as long as the Library is open and provides a variety of useful answers to general questions, as well as facts about the Library. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The University of Denver's Penrose Library saw a substantial increase in use as a result of several new and enhanced services over a six-year period. In turn, longer operating hours and increased staffing for a 24-hours-a-day, five-days-a-week (24 × 5) operating schedule was funded. This case study analyzes student need for longer library hours and the key factors used to justify additional staffing and enhanced hours of operation. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This article presents the results of a survey on the impact of the economic recession on access services of libraries in the U.S. in 2009. The survey received over 100 responses. It enumerated the economic problems that affected libraries, including the ability to purchase requested materials, reduction of hours and reduction of services. It also identified the positive impact of the recession on library services, including higher circulation as patrons use free resources and increased use of interlibrary loans (ILL).

The author contends that the Internet is not a library, nor must it be mistaken for one, despite its proven utility and versatility. He argues that a library is a place where knowledge is organized based on established principles so that it becomes serviceable to its users, and the Internet is a tool that supports the library in providing such organization. The author also discusses the impact of the Internet on students, the drawbacks of using the Internet as an information resource and the role of librarians in providing information.

This article describes the characteristics of patrons with learning disabilities (LD) and how these characteristics might affect library use. The lack of services for college patrons who have learning disabilities (LD) in this decade is much like the lack of adequate and appropriate services for high school patrons with LD in previous decades. The old notion that patrons would somehow outgrow LD is still pervasive. The National Learning Disabilities Association definition of LD describes specific LD as a “chronic condition.” Even though some individuals are fairly successful at adopting compensatory mechanisms, they will continue to deal with their specific learning disabilities throughout their lives. Educators are obligated to provide for the needs of patrons with LD across the life span. Given the characteristics of patrons with LD, these patrons must be provided with assistive technology (AT) in order to utilize library resources on an equal basis with their nondisabled peers. AT includes both technologies and special services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An increasing number of library patrons are hard of hearing. The U.S. Bureau of Census projected that 35 million North Americans would suffer from hearing loss by the year 2005 based on the age-population projections. These individuals would have at one time been labeled as deaf due to the lack of assistive hearing technology such as hearing aids and cochlear implants. The advances in technology have created a new group of individuals who are mainstreamed into society and interested in library services. Libraries must create trainings for these individuals who are hard of hearing. Universal design has been used to create an atmosphere that is not only inviting to patrons who are hard of hearing, but also benefits other patrons with hidden disabilities. Assistive technologies have increased the literacy rates of children, adults, and individuals for whom English is a second language. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sooner Xpress service arose out of a need to improve and expand services for library users at the University of Oklahoma. After several years of service for our distance education students, a decision was made to expand those services to include all campus and local users in an effort to streamline retrieval services in the library. Both returnable and non-returnable items are included in the Sooner Xpress service. This article presents the history of the Sooner Xpress service and reports the problems and solutions that have been encountered thus far. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The provision of resource request and delivery services in libraries is being re-designed in response to a shift in patron needs and expectations. The design of these services needs to include definitions of patron needs/expectations, staffing and systems components, and local policies and capabilities. This article includes a review of literature on the use of delivery services, a survey of current practices in interlibrary loan departments, and a review of the policies implemented and technical decisions made at the Z. Smith Reynolds Library at Wake Forest University during the ILL/Document Delivery integration process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The University of Maryland University College (UMUC) serves a dispersed patron base, and its library has developed, over time, a circulation system for distributing physical research materials to its patrons throughout the United States. This article discusses the development of this system and its associated interface/database management system which links the disparate databases necessary for the processing and shipping of materials. Using the Object Oriented Programming language (OOP) Java, Unified Modeling Language (UML) and interface design techniques, a project team redesigned workflows, created a federated interface that is easy to use and streamlined the distance education circulation process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasingly public use computers are impacting library operations. Libraries need to accept and embrace computers and technology, as another facet of a library's daily operations. This article relates problem scenarios encountered by library staff and customers whenever a computer reservation management/print job system is not in place. It provides insight into the factors management considered before deciding on a computer reservation system. It details the procedures required of staff and customers, analyzes usage and revenue pre and post implementation, and shares staff and customer reactions to a computer reservation/print job system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Special-subject libraries can be particularly intimidating for casual and seasoned patrons alike. Music libraries, with their variety of materials, formats, and vocabularies, can present particular challenges for the user. With this proposal for a model of service delivery, as well as many tips gained through experience working the front-of-house in a large academic music library, music library Public Services staff can significantly enrich the patron experience, which, in turn, will pay tangible dividends and enhance the stature of the music library on campus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While offering duplication services from within an Access Services department can present unique challenges, it can also make for a successful enterprise that not only provides essential goods and services to the campus, but also serves as a way to attract more patrons to the library and promote the other excellent services and resources contained therein. However, lacking a thoughtful approach a copy center can be a drain on the library organization. Therefore, it is imperative that administration approach a concern such as this with a flexible, committed, and contemplative methodology in order to succeed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information how to deal with problem patrons. According to the article, problem patrons must be diffused to assure safety for those in the library and their ability in using the library resources. In this case, several web sites are provided that discuss on problem patrons and can give direction in handling problematic situations. The web site http://mercury.southern.cc.oh.us/Home/bedwards/introduction.html has a list of crisis prevention tips to diffuse a possible heated situation before it become problematic. The web site www.georgialibraries.org/lib/training/ppt/problems.ppt provides presentation about problem patrons. Moreover, the web site http://slis.cua.edu/sjp/553-probpats.htm takes a positive and succinct approach in dealing library's problematic situations.

The article provides information on several listservs with interest to access services. John Wilson who had ARIEL that would not accept transmissions asked help from ARIEL-L subscribers. He found out that the problem was in the sender and it did have to do with e-mail enabling. Another is Niloufar Soekhai who had problem in implementing electronic reserves. The faculty did not get their reserve lists to the library on time compared with traditional reserves. He was reminded that not everything on a reserve reading list is needed immediately and another said to ask faculty often to prioritize their list. Julia Graham also posted her frustration with patrons who do not pick up their requested items. A response on her post emphasized that she sends ILL books to faculty offices.

The article focuses on the improvements of Universal Serial Bus (USB) flash drives and the innovative ways that librarians used. The USB flash drive which was first used in 1998 by International Business Machines Corp. (IBM) is a cross between random-access memory (RAM) and hard drive storage. It is faster and hold more data than floppy discs. Libraries are now selling USB drives to patron, and some circulate USB flash drives for patron use transporting files from library computers to their offices. In additional, other libraries replaced the use of CD-ROMs with flash drives. According to the article, several factors must be considered in selecting USB flash drives and deciding on the best use for them. These include the needed capacity and data transfer speed and the operating system.

Many patrons of libraries have one or more print disabilities that partially or totally impair their ability to use standard print. However, many devices and services are available to aid patrons who can not use print in the conventional manner. This paper provides an overview of typical assistive technology devices and services available to students with print disabilities. Barriers to access and solutions to these barriers are also discussed. In addition, original research results are presented from a survey of two-year college libraries of the University System of Georgia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most library buildings were built thirty or more years ago. As a result libraries are sharing a common situation. There is little or no room to add more books onto the shelves, and there are odd spaces throughout the stacks which are not being used. Jackson Library, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, faced this challenge and grew space by utilizing what was available through a complete analysis of the collection and how much space is needed to house the growing collection. How this was accomplished is presented here so that other libraries might benefit from Jackson's experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shelf reading the stacks is very often not seen as scholarly work in library circles and is therefore overlooked. However, there is a very real frustration of a patron who cannot find the material they need. There are very few studies that provide a working model for shelf reading. The authors suggest a collaborative shelf reading model based on the inventory control method of cycle counting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prompt return of checked out materials has been demanded by libraries for more than a century. Together with other measures such as overdue fines, library notices are used to bring in prompt returns by informing the users of their checked out items that will soon be due or are already overdue. The analysis of library notices sent in the past five years indicates courtesy notices that alert users of their soon-to-be-due items fail to improve prompt return significantly. On the other hand, sustaining the library notice service takes effort and cost. In this age of technology, prompt return may perhaps be viewed in a new perspective that serves the users and the library better. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents information on discussions about library access services in the listserv CIRCPLUS. Stephanie Schulte, Circulation Services Manager at the Cedar Rapids Public Library, Cedar Rapids, Iowa queried CIRCPLUS about the best way to handle long overdue accounts. One poster explained that as a librarian he enjoyed negotiating with patrons on the best way to resolve overdue situations. Lenora Ramsey-Johnston, Head of Circulation at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Alabama, Lister Hill Library of the Health Sciences, wanted to know about allowing patrons to place hold requests on items not checked out. Most posters stated that the best procedure to be followed would be for staff to go into the stacks and pull the books requested.

The relationship between the library and its patrons is damaged and the library's reputation suffers when returned items are not checked in. An informal survey reveals librarians' concern for this problem and their efforts to combat it, although few libraries collect objective measurements of errors or the effects of improvement efforts. Brigham Young University's Harold B. Lee Library is engaged in a quality improvement effort that includes the use of statistical process control and has resulted in an 86% reduction in errors over a two-year period. BYU's experience demonstrates the importance of objective measures in ensuring service quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]