Borders buying night

Last night our staff went wild with a 'lock in' at Borders!

The lovely gang at Borders, Highpoint helped us with a special collection development workshop/social event!

Potentially a wild night of excess spending the staff worked well to stay within their $350 budget each. All searching out material that they felt would suit our "new" customers at Altona North.At the end of the spending spree we came back together to rest our weary legs and to discuss our selections, where everyone had to share what we had chosen, why and who we thought would read it.

It was a fantastic night, originally coming from a collections meeting earlier in the year. The atmosphere was generally "fishy" (that's good! see earlier blog entry) which was only slightly dampened by some "old school library police" comments about what we should or shouldn't have in a library collection.

On the whole though it was a great, the purchases will make up a small part of our new collection but it was an opportunity for everyone to get involved with thr new library, get a little more understanding of our collection development policy and share a fun experience...after all it is not every day you get locked in a book shop after closing with permission to spend!!

Kevin Hennah Workshop

I had the privilege of listening to Kevin Hennah speak again this week. I have been to one of his workshops before and enjoyed "round 2" just as much.

http://www.kevinhennah.com.au/

This session was called an ID workshop, referring to a Library's Identity but basically softening a look at branding...and by now you should know that is one of "my things" His concepts around the retail look and feel of libraries is exactly what I am getting at. We need to pretty things up to get people in the door and coming back to us as a vibrant, entertainng space.

Match that with a customer service program that gets staff out interacting with customers and value adding to their experience AND Oo-La-La what a wonderful place to be!

Chermside Library

On the way back to Brisbane Airport I called in at Chermside Library, the staff at Brisbane Square recommended it as an opportunity to see some of their concepts used to refresh an existing building/service.

The branch is co-located in a hub with the aquatic centre and what looked like an RSL Club.







I get excited about refurbs, I like to see a team that can re-invent themselves and re-energise their customers by updating their look. After spotting the funky purple as I neared the car park entrance I spied an equally funky "wrap around" cafe which serviced an outside deck area and an inside cafe.

Inside they have had new paintwork, carpeting and the big feature a new space themed children's area. I was there after school and there was a nice "busy" feel to the branch without it feeling crowded.

No RFID but a bank of self serves and a very compact info desk. The staff were out floor walking and serving customers on the "other" side of the desk, which was great to see.

The signage was in the process of being changed over so was half up half down. The new signage was consistent throughout but for my eyes it was a little small! I actually thought the sign I saw on the floor was new but it was one of the variety of mixed old signage...whoops!!

Also great were what I will call the "gaming lockers" newly installed they didn't have any equipment in them but something I will certainly consider to house our PlayStation's and/ideally Wii's at Altona North.





http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/BCC:BASE::pc=PC_940

Brisbane Library

Brisbane is the "queen bee" at the moment with its Charlie & the Chocolate Factory automated returns chute.

Sadly 2 people have to watch it at all times just in case it gets blocked. Considering the cost I think having someone watch it kind of defeats the purpose (but I'm probably just jealous!)

No honestly, Brisbane Square really was stunning. The magnitude of the building inside and out is pretty darn wow! and with such a huge main library (over 3 floors) and another 31 branches in the area it is the sort of library service most of us would only read/dream about.

I was amazed to find that without RFID self issue stats are at almost 78% but from watching the customer flow I can see that this has been achieved through a reduced desk space and the effort from staff to get away from the desks and roam the floor - talking to people and helping them.

However as a first time visitor I found it difficult to spot staff, and if I had been using the library and in need of assistance would perhaps have had to loiter near one of the un-staffed desks until someone found me.

The Children's Library was pretty amazing, the feature was a huge mural that was based around a specially commissioned picture book. The youth area was also great and obviously a really inviting space, as in the middle of the afternoon it was full of 20-30 something men gaming or watching sport on the big screen!


I liked the individual AV pods where customers could grab a DVD off the shelf and watch it in the library.

Also ace was the feature display wall and the vending machine containing both snacks and stationery supplies.



My only disappointment other than my unrealistic expectation of seeing a fully independent "transformer" chute was the stock, which for me was fairly traditionally displayed


but I guess if somewhere had everything I wouldn't need to do any research.

Palmerston Library

The Library at Palmerston was opened approx 3 years ago. It was purpose built, adjacent to a shopping centre and recreation centre and also boasts an on site cafe.

The collection at Palmerston is all divided into living rooms, not just non fiction but fiction, LP and talking books. The collections are grouped together into "themes" but within each living room are divided into the traditional NF, Fic & LP etc.

Depending on the theme some have all formats, others have no fiction, some no non-fiction.

I like the idea of themed groupings as it has the potential to take people outside what they usually see/read but some of the themes were a bit obscure.

Plus personally I think that the talking book collection would be better as a stand alone because some users particularly want that format.

An absence (notable to some, un-noticed by others) is the reference collection, as all material is either for loan or online.


I was there after school and the place was jumping with youth which was great to see!

I particularly liked the AV area, which had a retail feel to it.

http://www.palmerston.nt.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=225

Casuarina Library

Casuarina Library in Darwin undertook a 12 week, million dollar refurbishment in late 2008, re-opening just before Christmas. The "new" library is light and bright with lots of space throughout and a mix of study areas and casual seating dotted around.



The collection now includes 4 non fiction "living rooms" Home & Garden, Health and Wellness, Language and Travel and Parenting.

Sadly there was a delay with signage so the library has been open for 6 months will absolutely no internal signage in place but despite that staff report an increase in memberships and borrowing since the re-opening.

Their children's area was large and featured a mix of front facing and tub style shelving which ensured the space looked appeal and was easy to keep tidy.

No RFID but there were 2 self issue terminals, currently operating at approx 30%. While I was there the staff moved mostly in close proximity of the circ desk but did appear relaxed in venturing to the customer side of the desk to assist with DIY demos.

The height adjustable table for one of their self issue machines was fabulous (I want one!) and it was placed between the Children's Library and the Ref Desk, meaning it was used regularly by families but was also close to staff if assistance was required by anyone with limited mobility.

Another good idea I took away was the 10 MOST REQUESTED ITEMS in the teenage area, naturally at the moment The Twilight Series held the top 4 spots!

http://www.darwin.nt.gov.au/residents/libraries/librarylocations.htm

Personal Development

Part of the scholarship funding also allowed for some personal development. I have booked into a few sessions that will be useful for my research and for my current role.
This week I attended a coaching skills session run through Inspirational Coaching, I had met Lindsay at a networking breakfast and Margaret had come in to run our Fish! workshop for staff last year.
http://www.icoachu.com.au/home/
I like their delivery, the sessions are relaxed, with people sharing stories and ideas throughout rather than us just getting into role playing (which I totally hate)
I had a bit of a light bulb moment when Lindsay was talking about the line diagram and staff either working above the line and being responsible or working below the line and being a victim. She talked about what happens when staff come to you and get answers all the time, what do they do when you aren't around? In my case...they phone me at home! (which sometimes feels a bit out of control) Lindsay talked about asking questions rather than giving answers and that in terms of the line diagram if someone responds to a question they are taking responsibility so even a victim has to take responsible when answer a question.
I'm going to go with this and package up a mini presentation for our Team Leader meeting in a few weeks, if this works I will get some me time back and staff will be more confident to trust themselves and each other for answers. Winners all round!!