Reshaping Loan Policies: Unshackling Lending Services in an Academic Library

Abstract

Renovating and expanding a library provides an opportunity to rethink public services to maximize the opportunities created by new spaces and collaborations. Seattle University opened a new learning commons in an expanded and renovated building, Lemieux Library and McGoldrick Learning Commons, in September 2010. In the year prior to the move the circulation department was restructured and consortium lending and ILL were moved into a new unit. Circulation was aligned with the new Information Services and was asked to put an increased focus on customer service. As a first step, the staff took on a comprehensive review of the lending policies and proposed a series of changes to simplify policies and expand privileges. In this presentation we will discuss the process of reviewing policies, refining policy proposals with public service staff, presenting recommendations to the library administration and the beginning steps of implementing change.