Self Check, Holds Pick, and More

At our first virtual directors’ roundtable, the topic of patron self-check as a means to free up some staff time in circulation was a hot topic. Libraries of all sizes are beginning to investigate options that help take the heat off staff working under pressure.

Self check is one. There are a variety of ways to accomplish self-check. If you are a C/W MARS member, that’s where you’ll start. If you are on independent circulation systems, additional choices are available.

Another time saver is patron holds pick up. Holds are labeled and placed on a case near the circulation desk, where patrons can retrieve them independently and maybe even check them out on their own, too.

The statewide delivery committee recently led a series of workshops on ergonomic and customer-service issues on libraries. You can find tons of information on the group’s website. Look for a PowerPoint with examples of patron holds pick up and self-check as well as a handout on vendors.

We Need Your Help!

CMRLS has always been a quiet support working to help your library serve its customers. We worked to help libraries shine, but CMRLS has been transparent. Now our transparency means that your library users are unaware of the role Regional Library Systems play in your library.

We need your help. There will be opportunities to advocate for funding for Regional Library Systems, and we’ll be most effective if your customers are informed. To that end, we’ve developed four informational pieces that we ask you to link to, post, print or share with your library users.

All are linked on http://www.cmrls.org/. Choose from:

"CMRLS Delivers" flyer (pdf, 1 page)
This Item Traveled Miles bookmarks (pdf 1 page)
24 Miles of Books bookmarks (pdf, 1 page)
Your Region, Your System – embed our 30 second Animoto




Thanks in advance for your help.

Townsend Beautiful Townsend

Along with about 1,000 others, I attended the dedication of the brand-new Townsend Public Library, Senior Center, and Meeting Hall on Saturday, October 31. A gift of the Sterilite Corporation, the new building complex shares a campus with two schools. Truly a "third place", the library is positioned to become the heart of the community.

Literally opening doors among three important community institutions, the library is spacious and welcoming. It makes a quantum leap from the nearly 100 year old Carnegie style building it occupied a few weeks ago. Congratulations to Townsend!