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  • I have been trying to create one for some time.  Thanks for asking this.

  • I have a Policies and Procedures Manual  and a notebook with summaries of all our over 200 group studies on the counter, as well as separate stand-up acrylic framed signs for:

         1.  How to check out/in material,

         2.  How to search in computer data base

         3.  What labels on spines mean (Spanish language, Christmas, Large Print, Youth interest)

         4  How to check out sermon recordings

    I would love to consolidate all this in a help/desk book to decrease clutter on the counter, but my patrons have a history of not looking at anything that is in a book on the counter.  They pay more attention to signs. But even signs don't always work.  I tried posting an enormous hot pink arrow with the words "RETURN BOOKS HERE" pointing to the book return cart, and a few people still asked where to return their books.  Sigh.)

    How successful has a desk book been, and what format do you suggest?

    • We have a three ring binder with page protectors to hold the pages (many will be duplicated)

      Here is our Table of Contents:

      Circulation Desk

             Information for volunteers who are not here every week  who forget details

              Duties in opening the library

              Work schedule for the week

              List of Volunteers and Committee members

      Church Calendar for the month and location in the church for meetings

      Forms  - originals that will be copied for patron use)

           Membership card  

           Repair Slip forms 

           Record of Donation

           To Reserve a Book

            Non-book check out sheet (for magazines)

      The Collection

             Shelf arrangement of the library - floor plan

             Gift policy

              weeding policy

              Selection policy

      These are the main things in our desk book. It is mainly for the volunteers use, to help answer questions by patrons. We also have the "Church Library Ministry Information Service" put in individual binders for each section (tabs) so we can add  notes after attending a conference. I find the Desk Book has a different purpose and is separate.

      Joy Cryer

      Librarian, Tallowood Baptist Church

      Houston, Texas

  • We call ours a "Help Book". It contains sections on "Who to Call" (problems, emergencies, etc.), Basics Brushup (How do I do.....?), Policies, To Do (What was done, what needs to be done, all dated, etc. a running log).

  • Hope this isn't a dumb question, but what is a desk book?
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