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Lobby Stops

Sometimes you don’t know what you want until you see it!

A lobby stop is materials from the library brought to different places that people gather outside the library building. A lobby stop includes a variety of materials to check out and staff to assist patrons. These mini-collections are often called “pop-up libraries.” These temporary browsing libraries in the lobby, cafeteria, or common areas of residential living communities or other locations where people gather.  

For resident living communities, residents and their caregivers can make selections to borrow, check out items, and return them at the next visit. The materials the library offers include: large and regular-print books, DVDs, music CDs, puzzles, books on CD, learn to download free ebooks, music and audiobooks, and information services. The library will work with administrators and caregivers to tailor the selection and services to these special audiences. Residents and their caregivers can also place holds on materials from the main library to be delivered during the next visit.

For other gathering locations, the manager or administrator of a location can suggest what types of materials they would like brought for the people who select. The choices are the same: large and regular-print books, DVDs, music CDs, puzzles, books on CD, learn to download free ebooks, music and audiobooks, and information services. The library will work to tailor the selection and services to specific audience of the location. Regular visitors can also place holds on materials from the main library to be delivered during the next visit.

We can travel anywhere in Madison. We typically visit every four weeks and can bring a mix of materials that you specify that then your residents can select from and borrow for the month.

Lobby Stop Requirements:

  • Parking Availability and Ease of Access
    • The facility agrees to provide sufficient parking and ample space to safely maneuver an 18-foot delivery vehicle. Adequate parking includes approximately 15 ft. of clearance around the back of the van for loading and unloading. Parking spots must be on level ground to ensure safe loading and unloading of the vehicle. The facility agrees to keep the sidewalk/driveway/parking lot clear during the winter months and free from debris. An appropriate parking space is required to maintain library service at the facility and must be agreed upon by both parties.
  • Cancelations, Inclement Weather, Extenuating Circumstances
    • It is the responsibility of the facility to notify Mobile Services staff if the site will be unavailable for a Lobby Stop no later than two hours before the stop is scheduled to begin. In the event of inclement weather, vehicle maintenance, and other unforeseen problems, Madison Public Library reserves the right to cancel service and Mobile Services staff will notify the site of a canceled stop as soon as possible.
  • Space to Conduct Service
    • The facility will provide tables and chairs for library staff in a lobby, cafeteria, or common area assuring everyone’s safety around book carts and furniture.
  • Attendance
    • We require a minimum of five residents to be actively checking out materials during our scheduled visits. This minimum attendance is necessary to maintain library services at the facility.
  • Building Access
    • The facility agrees to provide building access before the scheduled library visit to allow for setup time. If building access is not provided by 15 minutes beyond the start time of the visit, the visit may be canceled. As we often schedule several timed stops on the same day, we are unable to extend a visit if staff are let into a building late. Prompt building access is required to maintain library service at the facility.
  • Health and Safety
    • Prompt notification of health concerns is required to maintain Lobby Stops. Failure to notify the library of the flu, other contagious outbreaks or pest infestations before a visit may result in loss of library service. Please contact Mobile Services at 440-428-2189 to notify us immediately.

Additional Services:

  • Institute Accounts: MPL offers Institute Accounts which enable staff at residential communities to check out items and utilize the library’s digital resources for their residents without using a personal account. The institution assumes the responsibility for the items checked out on this account as opposed to the individuals.
  • Individual Library Cards: MPL offers the ability to have library cards prepared for participants before their first lobby stop visit. This can be helpful particularly for residential facilities. Library staff will both get cards ready as well as help administrators keep track of individual’s check-outs after receiving the cards.
  • Book Discussion:A library staff member will lead an age, memory, or developmentally appropriate book discussion for people gathered at the location. This typically happens once a month or once a quarter.
  • Storytime Express: A library staff member will lead an age, memory, or developmentally appropriate storytime with songs and manipulatives for people gathered at the location. This typically would happen once a month or perhaps more often during the summer.
  • Beyond Books Activity:An informational library-centered activity provided for the residents living in your community.  Topics include (but are not limited to) computers and technology, arts and crafts, games, and more! This would typically happen quarterly.

How Do I Become a Lobby Stop?

Administrators should call Mobile Services at 440-428-2189 or email info@madison-library.info to request the Lobby Stop Library. Depending on program capacity, service may not begin immediately, and you will be placed on our waiting list.

The funding for Stan the Tech Van as well as a wide variety of equipment was received through a grant, and this grant is part of the American Rescue Plan Act and funded in part through the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services LSTA grant awarded by the State Library of Ohio.
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CLEVNET Upgrades!

On 2/10/25, starting at 9pm EST, you might experience intermittent interruptions with the catalog as CLEVNET conducts system upgrades. CLEVNET expects the upgrades to be completed overnight.

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The Library will be closed today

We apologize for any inconvenience.