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Book a Librarian

Submitted by tim.spindle on Mon, 07/11/2016 - 08:56
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Type of Pilot Project: 
Public Service
Describe Project and Impact: 
Provide personalized customer service to members and meet their information need in a one-on-one session.
Project Description and Expected Outcomes: 
Members can schedule an appointment with a librarian to receive help with such tasks as using a database, using their laptop/mobile device with our digital collections, creating a slideshow with PowerPoint, receiving readers' advisory services, researching their family history, etc. I think one-on-one sessions will be a more effective learning forum for the member and the librarian than would meeting in a group. I think having to regularly prepare for these session will help staff to stay sharp about the products and services we offer and I think putting a face on the library in these one-on-one sessions will strengthen our relationships in the community.
Why should we select this project?: 
I think the offer of receiving one-on-one assistance from a librarian would be a hit with our members. Too often in a library class setting can the needs of the neediest co-opt the bulk of the instructor's time and attention, leaving the rest of the attendees to not receive the information/help they need. One-on-one sessions with a librarian would provide the member with the undivided attention of a librarian and with the member specifying what they need help with prior to the session, the librarian has the chance to prepare themselves and to come armed with helpful information for the member by way of handouts, tips, websites, etc. I think this program could snowball into a big hit for us as I think it would spread through the community not only because of our marketing efforts, but more importantly by word-of-mouth from satisfied members.
Constraints, Limitations, or Dependencies: 
staff availability, access to helpful training training information
Source of Inspiration: 

Lexington PL
Pikes Peak Library District
St. Louis County Library
Pioneer

Partner/Supporting Departments: 
Digital Library
Public Services
Performance Indicators: 
Member Retention
Environment: 
Library
Relationship: 
Build
Experience: 
Playful Learning
Estimated Costs
Personnel: 
$0
Commodities: 
$0
Contractual (Professional Services): 
$0
Capital (Construction/Renovations): 
$0
Total: 
$0.00

Comments

24
Mon, 07/11/2016 - 09:46
laura.sikes
This was also an idea I was
This was also an idea I was kicking around, calling it "Checkout a Librarian," and loosely modeling it on the Human Library programs cropping up at libraries around the world, where one visits a library to book one-on-one time with another person to gain insights into their lives or learn from their expertise in a specific area.
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Mon, 07/11/2016 - 10:03
kassy.nicholson
This worked pretty well for
This worked pretty well for us when I worked for Pioneer. It helped us give focused, individualized attention to those who needed it, especially for computer help. The only challenge (from my end of it, at least) was scheduling. At a smaller branch, it was sometimes difficult to ensure that we had both desk coverage and a librarian available for the one-on-one, especially on the weekends when we were lightly staffed.
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Wed, 07/13/2016 - 15:24
(Reply to #3)
laura.sikes
If we created it as a program
If we created it as a program that would occur at various times throughout the year instead of an ongoing service that would need to be continually staffed, perhaps this would alleviate the scheduling burden. We could market it just like we do other library programs instead of having it be a service that we know we offer, but customers aren't aware of (like a lot of other great things we can provide, but customers are unaware the library does.)
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Thu, 07/21/2016 - 12:16
david.newyear
(No subject)
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Sun, 07/24/2016 - 16:28
jhausburg
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Tue, 07/26/2016 - 10:35
kdelaney
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Thu, 07/28/2016 - 13:33
ckennedy
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Fri, 07/29/2016 - 17:04
kdelaney
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Mon, 08/01/2016 - 16:38
ben.mead-harvey
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Tue, 08/02/2016 - 15:57
llovely
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Tue, 08/02/2016 - 17:55
drobertus
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Wed, 08/03/2016 - 17:35
jbrooks
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Thu, 08/04/2016 - 09:18
jballou
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Thu, 08/04/2016 - 11:22
christopher.stofel
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Thu, 08/04/2016 - 16:50
asuhrstedt
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Fri, 08/05/2016 - 15:57
rachel.kopchick
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Sat, 08/06/2016 - 10:45
jessica.gonzalez
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Sat, 08/06/2016 - 14:37
mattalla
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Sat, 08/06/2016 - 17:51
afischer
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Sun, 08/07/2016 - 13:56
ebedford
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Sun, 08/07/2016 - 22:13
ashley.welke
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Mon, 08/08/2016 - 08:44
tpodzemny
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Mon, 08/08/2016 - 09:50
heather.zeoli
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Mon, 08/08/2016 - 16:21
meg.hunt
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