It is very important to open and close the libraries according to a strict schedule so that library resources can be available to museum staff from 9-5 each weekday.
Opening
When scheduled to open the library, please start by “re-setting” the Reading Room. This will include making sure all public computers and printers are on and functioning, signs and stanchions are set up, chairs are pushed in, and open and display shelf materials are shelved. The Reading Room is the face of the library and should, to the best of our ability, always present a consistently ordered and quiet environment. Setting the room back to its default mode each morning is our best way to achieve this. Use the list of opening tasks on the daily schedule as your check list to make sure you are not forgetting any important steps.
As opener, your next task will be to open the stacks. Please turn on lights and log in public terminals in each of the stack areas of B, K, 3 and 4. You will also turn on all scanners and make sure they are ready to be used. In Stacks 3 and 4, it is important to unlock the doors leading to the back stairwell. This is a safety issue in addition to an access issue.
If there is time left over after completing the checklist, you may undertake other helpful tasks such as transporting and distributing extra reserves of printer paper from the copy center to the Reading Room or restocking supplies such as pencils and scrap paper at the service desks, public computers, and stack terminals.
Closing
For security reasons, it is equally important to close the library at the end of the day. The best time to begin closing the stacks is at 4:45. This will give you enough time to accomplish all of the items on the checklist before the end of the day without rushing any museum staff that still might be working in the stacks. If you encounter staff in any stack areas (or the media room) when closing, politely inform them of how many minutes they have before the library must close for the day.
Otherwise, all of the tasks associated with closing the library can be found printed on the daily schedule.