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A working space for the Sustainability Round Table.

  • 1.  Paperless Holds

    Posted Jan 17, 2023 10:17 AM
    It's long been a dream of mine to have our library do paperless holds. I heard what feels like an urban legend that a library was already doing it, but I haven't been able to find them (I am clearly not a research librarian).  Rather than going down another fruitless rabbit hole, I thought I'd ask my Sustain peeps. If your library does it could you give some basics or where to start? If you've heard of a library who does it could you provide contact information? 

    Thanks in advance for your help!

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    Julie Finch
    Patron Experience Manager
    Urbandale Public Library
    They/Them/Theirs,She/Her/HersThey/Them/Theirs,She/Her/Hers
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  • 2.  RE: Paperless Holds

    Posted Jan 18, 2023 09:35 AM
    Hello,

    I couldn't find anything about paperless holds either.  I found one article (and will include the link below) about a library working on becoming paperless.  For my library we just send out an email or a phone call for holds notifications, and while we do usually print out a slip confirming the name for the hold you could try using scrap paper to write down the needed information.  Not a perfect solution, but it helps give a second use to scrap paper and can still be recycled after the patron has come for their hold.  I can see just having digital confirmations where the patron shows either a text or email to confirm their hold.  However, I don't feel like it would be usable in my community or others with a higher elderly population who struggle a bit with technology use.  I look forward to hearing more ideas or someone actually finding the article.  I hope this helped and have a great rest of your day.  

    p.s
    https://www.cantonrep.com/story/news/2009/06/16/going-paperless-except-for-books/42190615007/

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    Racheal Sylvester
    Outreach Coordinator
    bridgton public library
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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Paperless Holds

    Posted Jan 19, 2023 09:26 AM

    Thanks Racheal-

     

    I found that same article when I was researching. I appreciate you taking the time to respond. We do not send paper notices, we're just actively looking for ways to not label holds that are ready for pickup.  Also, I'm certain my staff don't have the time (or patience) to use scratch paper to write the holds info. We might have to get creative in another way.

     

    Julie E. Finch

    My pronouns are: She|Her and They|Their

    Patron Experiences Manager

    3520 86th St., Urbandale, IA 50322 | 515-331-6761 | Fax: 515-331-6737

     




    Original Message