We now have over 70 storytime themes and over 50 Craft & STEM themes with a whopping 253 individual kits! And more on the way!
Summer is right around the corner and with it an uptick in kit use, so I’d like to go over a few kit housekeeping items to keep in mind:
What Have I Requested? – We’ve recently updated the “What Have I Requested” link on the Kits tab of the YS Blog to not only show requests by location, but also by program date rather than request date – yay, Airtable! This should also assist if there are staffing changes at your location; you’ll easily be able to check what requests have already been made and either request a change or plan accordingly.
Requesting for Multiple Days: If you need a kit for multiple days please enter the first day as the “Program Date” then indicate the extended dates you want the kit for in the “Need Longer” field. (When a range of dates is entered into the “Program Date” field it causes errors in the program we use to track requests.) Keep in mind that some kits (LEGO Mindstorms, Bloxels, Chaos Towers) already have a 7 day checkout period.
Returning Kits in Good Condition: When you use a kit, you are responsible for cleaning the kit and returning it in the condition that you received it. This may mean that you need to wipe down, sort or wash and dry items. This is part of using kits and when kits are not returned in good condition is slows turnaround time for transport to the next location and can even cause kits to become unusable.
Missing/Damaged Items: If items are missing or damaged when returning the kit please make sure to contact Youth Services Administration and let us know what is missing from which kit so that we can begin sourcing replacement items. You should also include a note in the kit indicating which items are missing or damaged.
Kit Age Ratings: Kits are rated for certain ages. A kit rated for teens is not appropriate for kids. Please make sure to check the ages of kits when placing requests. Kit ages are listed on the kit indexes available on the YS Blog Kits tab. If you have questions about a kit please contact Youth Services Administration.
Surveys: Completing a survey is required when a kit is used. The data collected in these surveys aids in grant applications and reporting as well as annual reports to library administration and the Foundation. The more information you provide, the better we can identify trends, improve kits and expand our selection. If a kit is not used, please include a note indicating that the kit was not used. If there is no survey in the kit please let us know so we can send you a pdf.
I know this is a lot of information, so I’ve added it to the Kits tab of the YS Blog for reference. As always, if you have questions about kits or suggestions for new kits please send them to Youth Services Administration. 😊