Law Library Service Desk Manual: Opening & Closing the Library

Opening the Library

On the weekends, student assistants will open the library. You have access to the library doors starting an hour before the library opens. Your Eagle Card will let you in. Please do not let any other students into the library until the opening time.

The key to the technical services area / back room door is located in the small gray lock box in the top left drawer of the small desk. The code is 1939. Please make sure the key is returned to the lock box as soon as you unlock the door, and that the box is locked again. You can keep the door unlocked by flipping the metal tab on the side of the door down once it has been opened. On the weekends, please keep the back door to the technical services area locked.

To finish opening, walk around and turn on all the lights on both floors, and make sure everything is neat and clean from the night before. The keys for the tech lending drawers are kept on the green key ring in the top drawer of the small desk in the corner of the Service Desk area (the same drawer you will find the key to the back room in). Unlock the drawer at the start of the day.

Closing the Library

Within the last hour before closing:

• Make sure to give ample warning to library patrons that the library is closing. Since student study room reservations end 15 minutes before closing, there should be fewer issues with patrons staying past closing time.
• Before closing the Service Desk area, push in all chairs and return any moved furniture to its correct location. Be on the lookout for potential issues or problems.
• Wipe down any whiteboards that are still dirty; put dirty towels in the basket on the shelf in the staff area.
• Clean up the area around the copier. Recycle any leftover print jobs.
• Make sure that the pencil sharpener, 3-hole punch, staplers, and tape dispenser are accounted for in the student supply area at the Service Desk. Refill paperclip holders if empty or low.
• Ensure that public computers are logged out and that monitors are turned off.
• Refill any items that are low or empty on the cleaning carts on each floor.
• Re-shelve any items on the reshelving cart.
• Put the head count sheet in the folder on Kelsey's door.
• Make sure that the doors behind the Service Desk and the back door into technical services are locked and that the light switches across from the back door are turned off.
• The keys for the tech lending drawers are kept on the green key ring in the top drawer of the small desk in the corner of the Service Desk area. Lock the drawers at closing.
• Do a final sweep of the library to make sure that all patrons are out, then start turning off the lights.

As you leave, make sure that the front door has locked by listening for the clicking sound it will make, and that the light on the card box to the right of the doors (outside the library) is red. If there are any problems with the doors, notify the security guard as you leave, and email your supervisor.

If you encounter an uncooperative patron, including students, who refuse to leave the library at closing, inform the staff member on duty. If they are unavailable, call the front desk downstairs at ext. 6335 and ask the security guard for help. If you feel the situation has escalated to the point that additional security is needed, call Campus Police at ext. 6106.

When leaving the library at closing time, be aware of your surroundings. Do not hesitate to get a security guard to walk you to your vehicle if you feel unsafe.