[PADG:1561] Re: Book Return Trolleys

["Carol Fink" <cfink@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Rachel,
Can you install a wood box over the bin with an opening designed for a
book and not an arm? Each library I've worked in had a built-in cabinet
in the circulation desk which served as a book drop. I never saw anyone
reach through the drop slot to access anything inside. They could barely
tell what was in there. If you cannot arrange for this bin to be placed
under a counter which has had an opening cut into it, a free standing
bin could be covered by an open back, wood box. The clearance from the
opening to the bin below isn't more than 12-15 inches. Close enough to
peer inside, however, it's dark in there and most people are reluctant
to reach into dark areas. I tend to consider these safer for books than
the curbside drop boxes which so many libraries have. 
Good luck.
Carol Fink
Library of Michigan
Lansing

>>> rspano@xxxxxxxxxx 01/18/02 12:48AM >>>
Can anyone help with this........

In the Main Reading Room of the National Library of Australia we have
spring-loaded trolleys for readers to return books when they're
finished.

We suspect that other readers are searching through these return
trolleys
and taking books which they have not put through our new electronic
call
slip system. Therefore books are being misplaced or reserved under
different
names. 

To try and deter readers from searching through the return trolleys we
are
trying to design a lid chute system or 'curtained box'  attachment. Of
course there are preservation implications that need to be considered
with
these ideas.

Has anyone had to deal with a situation such as this?
We have limited funding and staff resources and are interested in any
ideas
that involve an attachment or alteration to our existing trolleys. The
trolleys have no shelves and are spring loaded (ie. the base drops as
the
weight of the books gets heavier).

If you have any ideas, opinions or suggestions concerning this matter
we
would greatly appreciate hearing from you.

Contact

Rachel Spano
Preservation Services
National Library of Australia
rspano@xxxxxxxxxx