I love that my bank is making it easier for me to do business with them by no longer requiring me to put deposits in envelopes. I can just imagine the committee meetings for this one:
- But we’ve never done that before.
- But it will mean more work for our staff.
- But we don’t know what crazy thing might happen.
- And on and on
This makes my user experience easier and more convenient, which I really appreciate. And of course, those who still want to use envelopes can do so.
What small things can your library do to make your services (both in your building and online) easier and more convenient for your users?
And using less paper = more environmentally friendly!
Comment by Marlyn — November 10, 2008 @ 4:34 pm
Well, my current one is e-mailed return reminders. All the libraries I’m a member of have decided that the best policy is to wait until after the book is due back and then e-mail the reminder. It’d be far more useful to e-mail it a few days before it’s due back. E-mailing it after it’s due back makes it seem as if the library only cares about collecting the fine rather than helping the customer return their items on time so other patrons can use them.
Comment by Tom Morris — November 10, 2008 @ 5:40 pm
A small thing to make our services more convenient. How about opening earlier than 9 AM? My library system is offering employees the chance to do their forty hour weeks as four ten-hour days. Surely more people will be starting shifts earlier than usual. Would anyone come?
Comment by Tom Cole — November 10, 2008 @ 5:58 pm
Good point, Marlyn!
I’m with you on that one, Tom M. Drives. Me. Nuts.
Tom C., the library in the last town where I lived experimented with Sunday hours from 4-8pm, instead of the more traditional 12-4pm. It was a big hit, and it still continues today. I think libraries need to adapt to the rhythms of today’s users as much as possible, rather than expecting them to adapt to us. It won’t be easy, especially in the current economic climate, but experimentation is important.
Comment by jenny — November 10, 2008 @ 7:41 pm
What bank is this? I’ve been able to do this for years at my PNC ATM – no envelopes needed 🙂
I do agree – I’d like early reminders about library books — I know we’re working on a feature like that for Koha.
Comment by Nicole Engard — November 11, 2008 @ 6:49 pm
It’s big ol’ Chase Bank, Nicole. That’s great that your bank has done this for years (lucky you), and I’m glad to hear Koha is implementing email reminders *before* the item is due (yay!).
Comment by jenny — November 11, 2008 @ 7:33 pm