March 8, 2024: Adult Services, The Quiet Land

Supervisor:  Renee Kirchner

Friday:  9am-2pm

Today was spent with Adult Services.  It was a bit of a culture shock- quiet, empty, quiet.   We did have one patron who needed help with a research project.  Allison (supervisor of AS) showed the patron books physically in the collection as well as database resources.  Adult Services also encompasses the Digital Media Lab, The Hive Makerspace, the majority of the study rooms, and ILL.  I thought the Makerspace was interesting as it seems both library and not library.  The energy in the makerspace feels very young and energetic with “cool” staff members running the show.  The 2 librarians who work in the Hive are part time (excepting the supervisor) and are solely scheduled for the makerspace. These librarians are incredibly busy!  They not only help patrons, but also cut 3D printer items, plan programs, create the media advertising for those programs, and repair the equipment (including both laser cutters).  And that is where the problems start.  With only 2 librarians to staff the Hive, shifts rarely overlap.  3D print jobs can pile up.  And if a repair is needed, it may be time intensive and will certainly take 1 librarian away from the front desk.  Because the library is a department of the city of Lewisville, it must abide by city policy, namely- no repair company may work on city owned equipment without workers comp insurance.  Most of the repair services are small businesses and do not have workers comp.  How it makes sense to require a librarian with no specialized training to repair equipment that often includes completely breaking down a laser cutter and replacing the laser tube while following a YouTube video, instead of trained professionals, I will never understand.  The librarians are more likely to require workers comp than the professionals!   

Naturally, Adult Services has a very different patron base than does the Youth Department.  It seems as if Adult Services offers its patrons services that draw them to the library with their projects.  The Digital Media Lab and Hive Makerspace bring sewers, scrapbookers, and crafters of all stripes into the library for hours at a time while sequestered in their respective areas.  The childrens’ department, on the other hand, offers an imaginative play area where parents and children can gather and interact while searching for information that they will utilize at home.  As both a parent and an adult, I can see the appeal of each area.  When I need to get things done- adult area all the way.  My children need to socialize so they aren’t feral- children’s area is where we camp.  I know that the mission of the library is to be a gathering place for the community, however, not everyone wants to gather all the time.  Spending the day in Adult Services reminded me that sometimes, the library is the only mini staycation that adults ever get.  A quiet, comfortable place to be productive, be relaxed, or be alone is also a vital part of the library.