[Libs-Or] Charging stations

Thu Dec 21 16:49:20 PST 2017

While you mentioned reluctance about loaning out charging devices to
patrons, we've actually had a very good experience with the route we took.
At Beaverton City Library, we purchased two multi-device charging cables,
keep them in pouches at the reference desk, and check them out to patrons
with their ID or library card.  These cables can be plugged into the USB
drive of our computers or the patron's laptop, and will charge up their
phone, tablet, etc. while they are visiting us.

This is pretty close to the model we have (and I believe, pretty close to
the price we paid)- $6.99, hard to beat:

https://www.amazon.com/Vastar-Premium-Multiple-Charging-Connector/dp/B00WFNNJB2/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1513902853&sr=8-3&keywords=multi+device+charging+cable

Also, we have a USB to wall adapter that we loan to patrons in the same
fashion- pretty much identical to this model (in cases where the patron
would prefer just to sit at an electroical outlet, rather than at one of
our internet stations):

https://www.amazon.com/Charger-Charging-HopePow-Adapter-Samsung/dp/B071X6QR95/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1513903042&sr=1-1&keywords=usb+to+wall+adapter

We have not lost these yet, and we loan them out very regularly.  Ours do
not support any data transfer- purely charging.

Our very technical loaning procedure- the devices/cords are in pouches,
with a labelled index card (with the device/cord name on the front) paper
clipped to the pouch. We keep these in the reference desk drawer.  When a
patron wants to check one of these out, they give us their library card (or
ID), we remove the index card and paperclip, give the pouch to the patron,
and keep the library card (or ID) paper clipped to the index card in our
desk drawer until they return.  We always know which patron has which
device checked out to them.  So far, very easy on staff, and no MIA
technology.  I only know of one time when the patron did not return for
their ID at the end of the night- in this case, they had simply left the
charging cord in the computer, and we simply called them the next day and
they came and retrieved their left ID out of the library safe the next
day.

It has been so great to be able to provide this service to patrons- we were
routinely asked for this before, and now we can say yes.  When someone's
phone is out of juice, and they need to get things done, it can be pretty
stressful.  My experience at Beaverton is that the majority (but not all)
of the transactions around these devices are with our patrons experiencing
homelessness.  If we are to lose one of our cords or the wall adapter at
some point, well, the replacement cost is only $7-11 before shipping.  So
low stakes.

Hope this is useful!

Christina Hanson
Adult Services Librarian
Beaverton City Library

On Thu, Dec 21, 2017 at 2:45 PM, Ted Smith <t.smith at newportlibrary.org>
wrote:

> We have two charging stations: one near the reference desk/internet
> computers and one in the teen area.  They cost around $350 each.  We put a
> big sign next to them that says the library is not responsible for keeping
> watch over the flock.  Biggest problem is that patrons occasionally jerk
> their devices off the stations and break the small connectors on the end of
> the cord.  Since these are just USB cords, I take USB charging cords from
> the lost and found (thirty days or longer since they were turned in).  I
> take the charging station apart, unplug the old USB and plug in the new
> one.  People like them and we don’t have to do anything other than replace
> broken cords once in a while.
>
>
>
> *From:* Libs-Or [mailto:libs-or-bounces at listsmart.osl.state.or.us] *On
> Behalf Of *Buzzy Nielsen
> *Sent:* Thursday, December 21, 2017 9:29 AM
> *To:* libs-or at listsmart.osl.state.or.us
> *Subject:* [Libs-Or] Charging stations
>
>
>
> We'd like to offer patrons options to charge their devices at the library
> when they forget their chargers, and we've been deliberating whether it
> makes more sense to get charging stations vs. letting people borrow
> chargers from the desk (no card required). Here are our observations so far.
>
>
>
>    - Based on the devices our patrons use, we likely only need Lightning,
>    USB Type-C, and Micro-USB charging options.
>    - Charging stations are more expensive than buying several individual
>    chargers.
>    - Checking out individual chargers is more work for staff and would
>    require us to set up procedures.
>    - We'd have to find somewhere to store the chargers behind our service
>    desk.
>    - Charging stations would limit people to a few locations whereas they
>    could sit anywhere they want with individual chargers.
>    - People might be more inclined to use charging stations since they
>    don't have to ask a staff member.
>    - Stationary charging stations may encourage people to leave their
>    devices unattended, which has been an issue in our library and community.
>
>
>
> We'd love to hear your thoughts. What have been your experiences?
>
>
>
> Cheers!
> Buzzy
>
> *************************
> Library Director
> Crook County Library
> 175 NW Meadow Lakes Dr.
> Prineville, OR 97754
> bnielsen at crooklib.org
> 541-447-7978 x301 <(541)%20447-7978>
>
> CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE - This e-mail may contain information that is
> privileged, confidential, or otherwise exempt from disclosure under
> applicable law. If you are not the addressee or it appears from the context
> or otherwise that you have received this e-mail in error, please advise me
> immediately by reply e-mail, keep the contents confidential, and
> immediately delete the message and any attachments from your system.
>
> CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE - This e-mail may contain information that is
> privileged, confidential, or otherwise exempt from disclosure under
> applicable law.  If you are not the addressee or it appears from the
> context or otherwise that you have received this e-mail in error, please
> advise me immediately by reply e-mail, keep the contents confidential, and
> immediately delete the message and any attachments from your system.
>
> _______________________________________________
> Libs-Or mailing list
> Libs-Or at listsmart.osl.state.or.us
> http://listsmart.osl.state.or.us/mailman/listinfo/libs-or
> Hosted by the State Library of Oregon. The Library is not responsible for
> content.
>
> Questions related to message content should be directed to the sender of
> the message, by phone or email.
> Technical questions? Call 503-378-8800.
>
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <https://omls.oregon.gov/pipermail/libs-or/attachments/20171221/f91bd8f3/attachment.html>