3-Library Field Trip Notes!

The Children's Services department visited three libraries on Friday, September 18: Waukeegan, Warren-Newport (which we always just called Gurnee), and Skokie.

Much fun was had (we ended the loooong day at Superdawg!) and a lot of good ideas were gathered. Here are some mish-mashy notes we cobbled together.

Check out all the pictures Shelley took for us, too!

Ear Buds
Everyone agreed that if we sold inexpensive ear buds to the patrons at the circulation desk and branches, it would save us some money (no replacing headphones), would be more sanitary, and would be much less time intensive for staff. Patrons would soon learn to bring their own from home, too. Waukegan sells them for $1.50/set.

Early Literacy Center (ELC)
Waukeegan had a sensory tub filled with foam letters, plus rotating hands-on search and find objects. (We could get more sensory/special needs toys in Story Stop.) Drop-in art activities at any time, included wonderful benches and low tables and lots of materials for spontaneous projects. Bulletin board space to display kids’ artwork. Listening station preloaded by staff and attached to the wall. Soft, enclosed play space for crawlers. Offer more science and math inspiration stations year round (giant calculator, sound tube). Story phones were cool, although clunky and heavy.

Signage
Magnetic signs highlighting popular authors within each section. Easy books had pictures of the characters—e.g. Pigeon, and fiction books had popular series marked with protruding shelf signs—e.g. Harry Potter. Gurnee had hanging brighter blue signs that were large fonts, very visible from every angle. Hanging flags of the world denoted foreign language materials. Slatwalls for acrylic holders (flyer in one, small take-home postcard/mini brochures right next to the highlighted program flyer). I liked the shelf signs for popular series, and noting popular authors on the end caps. BIG and obvious “Check out Here” at self-checks, with case removals.

Collections
Books in Braille, pop-ups for in-library use only. Face-out shelving at Warren-Newport. I liked the best sellers for kids list they had up, and where to findthem. New books: no reservations, no renewals, strict fines, first come first serve. Love it. End cap shelving for cool displays and more space. I don't think we have the room, but I like the idea. Video game collection (Skokie).

Café
Gurnee had a beautiful and large café space. Allow snacks in certain areas of the library, with trash cans and signage about not leaving a mess? All Aboard is more cramped and has a convenience-store, rather than café, feel.

Computers
Family computer rooms separated out for caregivers with young children under age of 8. Skokie had a computer center just for kids in a separate room that was fully staffed, had posted behavioral rules, was quiet, and offered homework assistance! Both adult and children’s labs were monitored. Mandating that parents sit with kids younger than 8 on the computers. Some summer days, I wish we had a two hour PERIOD limit on the computers. It makes sense and would cut down on a lot of behavior issues.

Security
Greeter who was on her feet, dressed in business casual, offered to help us find anything. Wonderful, warm staff member who also was on alert.

Storytime Room
Hidden from rest of department and more private. Parents were given “beepers” for when storytime was over. Shades or curtains in our current ST room? Skokie’s story telling area was cuter than W-N's, but without headphones,it would get annoying fast. Still, I like the idea.

Décor
Skokie had lots of plants, and gigantic chess sets. Warm colors on walls (Waukegan), natural light (Gurnee).

YA
Special space for gaming and projects. “Story Stop” for tweens/teens. Needs to be staffed (volunteers?)

Book Drop
Gurnee had the same one as ours, but a green light indicated when patrons should add another item. Large signage at Waukegan “Book Return”. A nicer returns sign, with handy visual cue. Love. Gurnee also had a super-cool 24 hour holds in lockers and secured room. And they put books on hold spine down for privacy.

Friends Bookstores
Open year-round. Gurnee is on the honor system and not staffed (patrons put money in a secured slot in the wall). Waukegan’s was staffed, even!