Perpetual Motion: Considerations for Running a 24/7 Library in a 9 to 5 World

Rob Withers – Miami University

Considerations

•Predominantly undergrad, residential•Location: near parking, uptown•Only public computing facility on campus

Journey towards 24/7

•Extended hours until 2 a.m. for finals•24/5 •24/7•24/5 redux (Fall 2009)•24/7 redux (2010 - )

Staffing: Service Points

• IMC / Videos through 10:00•Reference through midnight•Center for Info Mgmt through 2:00 a.m.

Differing Staffing Models

•Library staff•Security staff + vending machines•Unstaffed + limited service / vending machines

Staffing: Circulation

•3 FTE overnight staff•2 full-time staff scheduled at all times•1-2 student employees

Issues: Safety / Security Support

•University Police substation•Cameras to identify suspects in event of crime•Emergency janitorial support (?!!)

Usage: If you open it, will they come

 

Sierra Transactions

Informational Transactions TOTAL

12 a.m. - 3 a.m. 600 37 6373 a.m. - 6 a.m. 251 18 2696 a.m. - 9 a.m. 760 127 8879 a.m. - noon 2,327 297 2,624noon - 3 p.m. 3,982 170 4,1523 p.m. - 6 p.m. 4,143 131 4,2746 p.m. - 9 p.m. 3,780 68 3,8489 p.m. – 12 p.m. 2,816 38 2,854

Issues: Custodial Support

•1 custodian per floor (first shift)•2 custodians for building (2nd shift)

Issues: IT / Printing

• IT assistance by phone 24 hours•Limited in-person printing support through midnight•Two stations for adding $$ for printing / copying

Issues: Communication with staff

•Staff training possible in summers / winter term•Meetings for students after closings for holidays•LOTS of email and texting• Incident reports delivered by text

Questions ????

Institutional Background

•15,460 Undergrad / 2,260 Grad Students•Central library + 3 branches•360,000+ Checkouts / renewals yearly