Woodstock Public Library, (Illinois US), has transformed their customer service delivery by replacing a large built-in reference desk-structure with three ergonomic, modern alternatives — from Yakety Yak Furniture.
The old service desk had been in use for over two decades and while it had served patrons well, it was time to upgrade to a more adaptable and responsive model — one that could cater to the direct needs of patrons and be fully ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act 1990) compliant, ensuring access and usability for individuals with disabilities.
From Yakety Yak Furniture’s 300 Series of Intelligent Counters, Woodstock Library chose YAKETY YAK 307 Island and YAKETY YAK 304 Counter to replace the long-standing service desk.
Yakety Yak Furniture’s ergonomic range comes from combining 25 years’ experience designing for libraries and education, and brings a new dimension to customer service; electronically adjust the height to suit the task, comfortably interact (with all ages and levels of mobility) and easily re-position furniture as needs change.
YAKETY YAK 300 Series counters provide the ultimate in versatility, including the ability to group together with support modules or deploy separately. The beautifully curved worktops with ‘friendly’ meeting-ends are designed to invite interaction.
Assistant Director / Head of Adult Services, Martha Hansen said, “We really liked the idea of separating into two service areas so that we have a desk for traditional reference assistance, and a separate staff location where we can do more in-depth patron help with one-on-one tech sessions. This will allow us to more easily help two patrons, without having competing conversations happening”, she said.
In addition, the library chose YAKETY YAK Oval 102 Pod from the Ingenious Help Pod range, providing a new and inviting self-help desk for patrons, equipped with a public computer – now highly visible and accessible.
Martha says, “We had a patron come in and see the OPAC station and say ‘Oh, how nice, you’ve put a catalog station here’. The YAKETY YAK pod is just five feet from where the catalog station had previously been located, but before it was tucked into a carrel and she’d never noticed it. A big win for us!”
To complete the package, YAKETY YAK 300 Under Counter Storage Module provides extra storage, fitting neatly under the Island counter, while two ATDEC Articulated Monitor Arms aid the sharing of information. NODE Power Buttons installed on desktops provide that must-have power and USB access.
Counter and pod colours were chosen to compliment the library’s existing colour scheme, utilising ‘Melteca Supreme Oak’ and ‘Provence Blue’, while Metamark film in ‘Burgundy’ makes a feature of the pod barrel.
Martha says, “The entire process was very smooth, it has been a seamless transition and the desks exceed our expectations. We have received an extremely positive response from our patrons, and our reference staff really enjoy the flexibility to adjust the height of the desk to their own and the patrons needs. As one patron said – ‘you are no longer hiding behind that huge desk’. Having the two desks that easily accommodate standing and sitting allows our staff to set the level at where they are comfortable — we are evenly split between those who like to sit and those who like to stand.”
And, it’s great to see how Woodstock Library are utilising the very familiar old desk-structure — now taking pride of place in the library as the new scanning centre.
