I love my job — really!
But there are days when I’m aching to be in public service . . . . on the ground where the action is, so to speak. Today is one of those days. I get one of these great ideas, I’m just dying to try . . . . but nowhere to try it.
Take this idea. Allow each patron to request 2 items from your library via a web-friendly request form. Doesn’t matter which one, your ILS’s request form, an E-mail. Just KISS (keep it short and simple). When your library staff gets the request, get the items to the patron as fast as possible . . . mail, drive-through will-call, home delivery.
The patron can keep the items as long as they like. No threats, no punitive action. Maybe a friendly reminder of how long they’ve had it. When they return the items, give them the next 2 on their request list. Oh, yeah! did I also say the library will establish a method of keeping a request list for each patron.
Sound like a familiar service? Do you think NetFlix will mind? Can I try this, please?