New Nightly Closing Procedure

The Extra at Doe South will report to the Circulation Box 10 minutes before the library closes.

Why the change?

Before the Moffitt closure, patrons remaining in the Stacks after closing (during security sweeps) would be asked to exit through the Moffitt hallway. Since people can no longer leave through Moffitt, we will instead be asking patrons to exit through Doe South.

How this will work:

The Extra at Doe South will walk over to Doe Circulation 10 minutes before closing time and wait until it is actually closing time. At the precise time the library closes, the Extra will relieve the Circulation student worker posted inside of the Circulation Box.

So for example, if Doe closes at 8:00pm, the Extra would walk over to Circulation at 7:50pm and have a seat at the table near the public access computers. At exactly 8:00pm, the Extra would take position inside the Circ Box.

Note: If there is no Extra, the worker stationed at Doe North should move to staff the Circ Box after they have finished all closing tasks at Doe North. Be sure to also give Security a quick heads up so they'll know there may be a slight delay before the Doe North worker makes it over to the Circ Box.

While stationed inside the Circ Box, the Extra's job will be to...

• Turn on the radio located on the shelf inside of the Circ Box.
• Do not allow patrons to enter the Main Stacks.
• Make sure patrons leaving the Main Stacks exit through the gated book alarms (pictured below).

• Verify patron check-outs in Alma if someone triggers the gated book alarms. It's VERY IMPORTANT that we do not allow people to leave with books that are not checked-out to them! Note: this blog provides step-by-step instructions for you to review if needed.
• Direct patrons out through the door beneath the green EXIT sign and to the left of the metal gate (pictured below).

• Listen for the "all-clear" from Security.
• After the all-clear is given, WAIT for the Info Desk worker stationed at the Main Stacks to exit AND THEN close the doors to the Main Stacks (pictured below). Those doors, once closed, lock automatically, so please be careful not to lock anyone inside!

• Turn off the radio and set it back on the base (there is no need to return it to Doe South).
• Shutdown the computer.
• Gather your belongings. Leave through that same door beneath the green Exit sign. Check that it properly locks behind you. If it is unlocked, ask the Workleader to radio Security and request that they lock it.
• Return to Doe South and clock-out.

A final note:

Patrons are warned via a building announcement that the Circulation services end 15 minutes prior to closing time. Unfortunately, it's pretty common for people to not hear this message. If someone brings books up from the Stacks that they need to check out, you should do the following:

• Let them know that check-out services have ended and that the Circulation team has left for the night. If they are upset by this, try apologizing. Let them know you are not trained to perform check-outs, and are only there to ensure people exit safely after the building has closed.
• Offer to place the books on hold for them through the end of our next business day.
• If they accept this offer, grab a piece of scratch paper and write "Hold for + the patron's name + the date we're next open for business." Example: Hold for Lauren Andrews until closing on 9/22/21. Place the books along with this note on the designated Temporary Hold shelf (directly behind you and to the left of the radio). Holds left here will stay on this shelf until the expiration date.

• If they decline, collect the books and drop them into the silver Book Return slot at the front of the Circulation Desk after you get the "all-clear."