{"id":23178,"date":"2017-05-14T14:01:00","date_gmt":"2017-05-14T14:01:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bibliodev.local\/?p=23178"},"modified":"2025-04-29T15:01:40","modified_gmt":"2025-04-29T15:01:40","slug":"library-story-open-gwinnett-county","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bibliotheca.com\/library-story-open-gwinnett-county\/","title":{"rendered":"Gwinnett County Leads the Way in Expanding Access With open+"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\tLIBRARY STORY\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\tGwinnett County Leads the Way in Expanding Access With open+\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMay 14, 2017\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\tGwinnett County Public Library needed to increase access to library collections and services in order to provide the community with the maximum value for its investment. However, the library budget could not accommodate staff hours sufficient to meet the community\u2019s needs.\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\tThe library was the first in North America to install open+ access, a comprehensive system that extends open hours by offering access to the library during unstaffed hours.\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\tAt the Lawrenceville branch, the first to implement open+ access, Gwinnett County was able to double open hours. The system has proved so successful that it has now been implemented at additional branches.\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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Expanding library hours with\u00a0open+ access<\/h2>

o<\/span>pen+ by Bibliotheca is a comprehensive solution that provides more convenient access for users, more flexibility for library staff and more opportunities for community impact. With the addition of\u00a0<\/span>open+ access<\/span><\/a>\u00a0by Bibliotheca, libraries can attract new users and provide patrons with library access at more convenient times. This solution allows libraries to expand access to materials, spaces and\u00a0<\/span>self-service<\/span><\/a>\u00a0resources in addition to existing staffed open hours.<\/span><\/p>

\u00a0<\/p>

Gwinnett County: committed to access and innovation<\/b><\/h3>

Bibliotheca first installed the open+ access<\/a> solution in Denmark in 2007 and has continued to evolve the solution over the past 10 years. There are currently over 500 libraries worldwide providing additional open hours with open+ access<\/a>, but until recently, the solution was not available in North America.<\/span><\/p>

Gwinnett County Public Library<\/a>, a 15-branch library system located just north of Atlanta, was thrilled to be the first North American library system to extend their hours with the use of\u00a0open+ access<\/a>. In June 2016, Gwinnett County signed on to pilot the program at its Lawrenceville branch.\u00a0<\/p>

\u201cOur focus at Gwinnett has always been access,\u201d says Charles Pace, Executive Director. \u201cThe taxpayers have paid for these buildings, they\u2019ve paid for these collections and resources, and we feel they should be allowed to use them to the greatest extent they possibly can. We see\u00a0<\/i>open+ access<\/i><\/a>\u00a0as a way to further that goal.\u201d<\/i><\/p>

\u00a0<\/p>

First steps: morning access<\/b><\/h4>

Gwinnett County began by offering extended morning hours in its Lawrenceville branch. All branches in the system open at 10 a.m. Monday \u2013 Saturday and at noon on Sundays.\u00a0open+ access<\/a>\u00a0allowed Lawrenceville to be accessible to patrons at 8 a.m. seven days a week \u2013 a 27% increase in operating hours.\u00a0<\/p>

\u201cWe started with morning access because we already had staff in the building at that time. The staff was not out on the floor, but just having someone present relieved our concerns as we tested out the system,\u201d says Pace.<\/i><\/p>

Initial jitters aside, Lawrenceville hasn\u2019t experienced a single incident with\u00a0open+ access<\/a>\u00a0since implementation. In fact, it\u2019s been so successful that Gwinnett County has decided to offer extended evening hours at the branch as well. Evening open+\u00a0 hours began on October 30th, 2018. Through\u00a0open+ access<\/a><\/strong>, the branch is now accessible to patrons from 5 p.m. \u2013 10 p.m., seven days a week.\u00a0<\/p>

\u00a0<\/p>

A complement to staffed hours, not a replacement<\/b><\/h3>

\u201cIdeally, we\u2019d have staff at the libraries 24 hours a day,\u201d says Pace. \u201cBut that\u2019s not practical, and it\u2019s not cost-effective. The goal of our\u00a0open+ access<\/a>\u00a0initiative is not to replace staff; the goal is to provide additional access above and beyond what we\u2019d otherwise be able to do.\u201d<\/p>

Some patrons are unable to get to a library during standard hours and find themselves in need of materials or computer access after the library has closed.\u00a0open+ access<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0enables libraries to meet patrons\u2019 self-service needs at a time most convenient for them. The solution allows libraries to control computers, self-service kiosks, lights, and security systems remotely \u2013 providing access while maintaining safety.<\/p>

open+ access<\/a>\u00a0integrates seamlessly with existing ILS, self-service and security solutions and can be modified to suit any library, regardless of size or location. Using the system, libraries can easily configure open hours, monitor activity, and customize PA announcements for users.<\/p>

Gwinnett\u2019s\u00a0open+ access<\/a>\u00a0initiative has allowed the Lawrenceville branch to more than double the hours that are available to patrons without reducing the time staff has to dedicate to outreach and programming, a major mission of the system. So far, nearly 9,000 patrons have registered for open+ access, and the library hosts an average of 100 visits per month. Pace expects that number to rise dramatically with the addition of evening open+ hours.<\/p>

\u00a0<\/p>

Recession proofing library access<\/b><\/h4>

Everyone remembers the massive economic downturn that began in 2008. Libraries across the country were particularly hit hard as budget cuts mandated reducing staff and library hours. Even today, many libraries are struggling to operate on budgets far less than those they enjoyed 10 years ago.\u00a0<\/p>

Pace sees\u00a0open+ access<\/a>\u00a0as a way for libraries to hedge against the possibility of another such economic shock. \u201cWe hope never to have another Great Recession or big downturn, but in the event that we did, open+ allows the ability to at least maintain access to collections.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>

\u00a0<\/p>

Expanding access with open+<\/b><\/h4>

In addition to the expanded evening hours added last month at Lawrenceville, Gwinnett County recently installed\u00a0open+ access<\/a>\u00a0at its Suwanee branch. \u201cWe are in the early days yet,\u201d says Pace, \u201cbut we hope to eventually expand open+ to the entire Gwinnett County Public Library system.\u201d<\/p>

Gwinnett County is the first North American library system to implement open+ access but other US libraries such as\u00a0Hennepin County<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Ventura County<\/a>\u00a0are not far behind. To these and other libraries, Pace offers this advice, \u201cIf you\u2019re looking to expand access to your collection,\u00a0open+ access<\/a>\u00a0is an excellent way to do it. I\u2019d recommend you give it a try \u2013 our patrons call it VIP service.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\"The taxpayers have paid for these buildings, they\u2019ve paid for these collections and resources, and we feel they should be allowed to use them to the greatest extent they possibly can. We see open+ access as a way to further that goal.\"\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCharles Pace<\/span> Library Director, Auburn Public Library, Alabama, USA<\/span><\/cite>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Ideally, we\u2019d have staff at the libraries 24 hours a day. But that\u2019s not practical, and it\u2019s not cost-effective. The goal of our open+ access initiative is not to replace staff; the goal is to provide additional access above and beyond what we\u2019d otherwise be able to do.\"\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCharles Pace<\/span> Executive Director<\/span><\/cite>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\tInterviews with leadership\t\t\t\t\t<\/h5>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\tGwinnett County Public Library open+ customer story \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\twatch video\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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Augsburg University\u2019s Lindell Library reimagines access with self-service technology, empowering students through flexibility and inclusion.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tLearn more\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The first library in North America to implement open+ access, Gwinnett County more than doubled its open hours\u2014without expanding its budget.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":27,"featured_media":24751,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[74,78,113],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-23178","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-library-stories","category-blog","category-library-technology"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bibliotheca.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23178","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bibliotheca.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bibliotheca.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bibliotheca.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/27"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bibliotheca.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=23178"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.bibliotheca.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23178\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bibliotheca.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/24751"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bibliotheca.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23178"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bibliotheca.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=23178"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bibliotheca.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=23178"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}