Category: Collection Services

hoopla Checkout Limits Changing

Due to increased costs, users will be limited to six (6) hoopla items per month. We understand that this reduction in monthly checkouts may be disappointing for some users. Thank you for listening to each patron and their concerns. Here are some facts you can refer to if you receive questions:

  • We agree that this is disappointing: Like everything else right now, we are seeing cost increases in physical materials and digital licensing.  This is a way to continue offering Hoopla, a popular service.
  • We are being fiscally responsible: We look very carefully at usage statistics for all our content, and work to balance the best “bang for our buck,” while also continuing to offer a broad diversity of content.
  • We have a broad diversity of content: Have you tried Biblio+, Overdrive, Kanopy? Plus we have specialized digital content for kids.
  • We love to hear thoughts from you: What do you use most in hoopla? Audiobooks, eBooks, comics, TV? What would you like to see more of for digital content?

Please remember to document feedback in Gimlet.

Customer Service Survey

At the request of one of our Trustees, I’ve created a “how was your visit” survey that will be available at each service desk, at the self-check stations, on the catalog kiosks, and in the elevator.

If patrons would like to provide quick feedback, direct them to these surveys. If they want to provide more expansive feedback, direct them to the comment forms.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Library of Things Cabinets

The Library of Things collection have all been moved to the main floor. Whohooo! The majority of the collection has been added to the cabinets/shelving and the larger, more valuable items are still being stored behind Borrower Services. The updated location list hangs on the LoT tall cabinet door behind the desk.

Here are the directions for the public to borrow items from the LoT collection.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Aspen vs. Evergreen

You’ve probably heard about our new public catalog interface, Aspen, which is in “soft launch” right now, and will go live in September.  In a nutshell, it is a software layer that sits on top of our Evergreen database.  Staff searching and other functions in Evergreen are not affected, it’s strictly on the public-facing (OPAC) side.

The benefits to the patrons are:

  1. better and more flexible searching
  2. the ability to search and checkout Libby and Hoopla items without leaving the catalog
  3. it’s much prettier!

Put it through its paces and let me know what you find–feel free to try and break it so we can report back to NOBLE! The list-making function is not enabled yet, but otherwise it should be fully operational.

RPL Catalog

Busy Bees Volunteers Info

We have a few helpers who will be helping us maintain the exterior native and sensory garden areas – weeding and watering as they can. Please see Amy if yo you have questions or if you they need assistance.

Our Busy Bees Volunteers will be stopping by the Borrower Services desk to sign in and pick up the watering cans (2 blue ones), their gardening apron which signals they are a volunteer, and tools (if they don’t bring their own). Everything (except the watering cans) is in the green Busy Bees Bucket located near the blue watering cans.

Library Lounge Collection

Check out RPL’s new Library Lounge collection in the staff lounge. These books and materials are meant to enhance your learning and professional development.

When you get a chance, please take a look around your workspace and at home to see if you have any materials marked “Workroom” or any other relevant items from your personal collection that you are willing to share. Suggestions are welcome!

Please drop off any materials to Meaghan C. and Andrea H.

Patron being inappropriate on phone

A male patron called today and asked for a number of book titles. The patron became inappropriate and staff hung up on them. This is okay. Do not feel that you need to stay on the line for this at all. This patron has called here and other libraries in the past for the same reason. They are being inappropriate.

Do not give your name. Forward to a supervisor if needed.  Hanging up IS an option.

Two new online resources

We have two new online resources just starting:  FamilySearch and Craft & Hobby.  We’ll be promoting them in January, and we’d love some testimonials from staff, so if you get a chance, check them out!  They will only work in the library at the moment, but the craft one will eventually work from home. FamilySearch is a very large collection of genealogical resources–you make a free account and then start searching for your family members. Jocelyn is very knowledgeable if you’re interested!

Craft & Hobby 

FamilySearch