Pukekohe Library (Auckland Council Libraries) plays a pivotal role in the community hub known as Franklin: The Centre, and forms part of Franklin Court, a light-filled civic space embracing a library, gallery shop, exhibition gallery, creative workshop space and a cafe.
Service delivery in today’s libraries is diverse and Pukekohe Library is no exception. They host a vibrant schedule of events including themed children’s story times, school holiday programs, 3D Design workshops, cultural celebrations and much more. In conjunction with a plethora of library tasks, the library also oversees council related enquiries, these services often requiring the librarians to work closely with patrons.
In late 2023, the library was refreshed with a new layout, including new service desks and shelving configuration. The focus was on creating versatile spaces which could better facilitate this wide range of events and services, and to ensure that the library was future proofed to meet the evolving needs of the community.
When it came to choosing service desks, the intention was to replace the fixed circulation desk with a more modern and accessible solution. The staff rotate through front of house and back-room tasks regularly, so it was a priority to select desks that could be seamlessly adjusted to suit the user.
YAKETY YAK ingenious help pods were favoured for their responsive and adaptive qualities; pods are light-on-their-feet, height-adjustable and have an open form, ideal for interaction and dynamic customer service environments. Feedback from staff confirms that the electronic height adjustability has been well used and appreciated. Back-room tasks are often seated, and so standing at the service desks provides variation and keeps staff at customer’s eye level.
The resulting YAKETY YAK Pod installations comprise two groupings. In the first group two YAKETY YAK 103 Pods, team with our 100 Cash Module to form a welcoming, responsive circulation area. The Cash Module provides ample storage, while the privacy cowling discretely houses the cash machine. Their livery is quiet with Snowdrift worktops and Storm barrels, with one flash of colour, Nature green, on the Cash Module.
The second grouping consists of YAKETY YAK Oval 104 Pods, paired together in the centre of the library as help points freeing up the main service desks. They are mostly lowered to the seated position, perfect for working one-on-one with patrons.
Susan Waldmeyer, Team Leader Operations says:
“The 103 pods are a hit with our customers, with their inviting curved shape and ability to be raised and lowered. We often hear them comment on how flash our new desks look! From the staff’s point of view, having space for two mounted screens set up side-by-side has been invaluable for our council services work, both on the 103 and 104 pods. The surfaces are easily cleaned, and in quiet periods staff can sit at the pods. It’s great to be able to lower the desktop when serving our younger patrons, or those in wheelchairs.”
