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Wentworth Library is adding self-service hours in early August. This allows patrons to sign up for after-hours access to the library. (August 6, 2024 Update: Self-service hours are now available.)
Why: “The idea behind offering self-service hours is to expand access and allow people to use the library when it’s convenient for them,” said Dakota County Library Director Margaret Stone. “It’s not the full library experience because there are no staff but to pick up a book, for a quiet place to work or study, or to hold a meeting which extends past 8 p.m., it’s great.”
So far: 2,737 people have signed up for self-service hours. Sunday mornings and Friday early evenings are especially popular times.
How’s It Work?
Self-service hours offer controlled access to the library to pre-screened individuals during extended hours after the library is normally closed.
- Who: Anyone 18 and older can sign up.
- What: Self-service hours include access to use computers, Wi-Fi, meeting rooms, host meetings, check out books and other materials, and more. Library staff will either not be present or unavailable to help patrons during self-service hours.
- Timing: Self-service hours extend library access to 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., including weekends and holidays.
- Register: The sign up process includes a training video and waiver to sign. Once registered, you can pick up an access card to get into the library after hours.
- Use: Patrons simply use their access card to get in the building. A speaker system will announce when the self-service hours are over and ask patrons to leave.
“We also heard from one individual who is very appreciative of the service because they struggle to use the library when it’s busy,” said Stone. “It’s too active and distracting for them. They are thrilled to be able to go in and use the space later in the evening.”
What About Security Concerns?
Dakota County piloted self-service hours at the Farmington branch in early 2023. Since then they’ve rolled the service out to every other branch. Wentworth is the last to offer self-service hours.
“I was initially a bit nervous about allowing entry without staff present, but cameras throughout the library and other security measures have resulted in no serious incidents in the yearlong rollout,” said Dakota County Commissioner Joe Atkins in his email to supporters. “At the same time, benefits have been significant, with thousands more users, many of whom would not otherwise be able to make use of our libraries.”
- Issues: So far there have been no major issues at any location.
- Access: You need to sign up for an access card to use self-service hours. Registered patrons may bring in guests (for a meeting, for example) but the card holder is responsible for guests and their actions.
- Tech: Every library has cameras installed for peace of mind and speakers to make announcements. The access card system ties use to individual patrons who are responsible for their behavior.
“We take security very seriously and when we planned this service we worked with the County Risk Management department,” said Stone.
Register Now
You can sign up for self-service hours now and access it at other Dakota County libraries. It will become available at Wentworth Library in early August.
Scott County and Hennepin County libraries have also started offering self-service hours, with other library systems exploring it.
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