how to utilize your bookmobile in time of crisis

How we dealt with a last minute building closing at Medina County District Library

Abby Wilson wilson@mcdl.info

System Overview6 branches and 1 bookmobileServing over 170,000 peopleLocated 30 minutes South of ClevelandBuilding Project Started in 2003

3 new buildings, new bookmobile,3 building renovations

New bookmobile hit the road in September 2005

Lodi LibraryNew building opened in 2006Third largest branch in our systemAverage daily door count for 2011 was 340

peopleCirculates nearly 300,000 itemsLodi Population-3,000 people

Trouble StrikesLate 2011 structural concerns became apparent

in the Lodi LibraryBased on the building inspectors

recommendation, the building was closed to the public with only 3 days notice.

Staff scrambled to move high demand items Management needed a way to serve this

community

Service AreaLodi Library serves members from Lodi, Harrisville, and

Westfield Center.

SolutionProvide bookmobile service in the library

parking lot

Questions When will it be there? Can we park it there the whole weekend?

Staffing concerns

Training StaffChallenges for Lodi Staff

Signing on with air cards-slower connectionsTricky/heavy doorsCramped spaceOld cash boxEffective winter heatingStorageWhat is where?Created the Bookmobile Guidebook

LogisticsTechnology Department set up computers in the small, safe area of the building

Lodi Staff moved high circulating items to the same small, safe area

Holds

Crisis AvertedBookmobile service began Nov. 21, 2011 and

went through the end of January 2012New “library” opened in the Lodi Meeting

Room on February 6, 2012Still waiting for answers

Forensic ArchitechsCounty Prosecuters