Patron Scheduling & Registering
For Events

Thanks to the development team at WhoFi, the company has news to share about feature enhancements. WhoFi Marketing Coordinator Christian Gutteridge provided this update for all of you using WhoFi services, from wireless tracking to meeting room reservations to patron registrations for programs.

Christian writes “We are thrilled to announce some exciting updates to the WhoFi service provided by the State Library of Iowa, designed based on your feedback to enhance patron experiences.”

Introducing Timeslots for Programs

Now patrons have the flexibility to reserve specific slots of time within programs, catering to diverse needs and preferences. Whether it’s securing a spot for a virtual doctor’s visit for 20minutes, immersing in an escape room session for 60 minutes, or exploring other engaging activities, WhoFi’s Timeslot feature ensures seamless participation and optimal utilization ofresources.

Streamlined Scheduling for Recurring Events

Say goodbye to scheduling hassles! This newly revamped platform makes scheduling a series of events a breeze. Whether it’s daily storytime sessions, weekly book clubs, monthly workshops, or events every other week, these enhanced scheduling options cater to libraries’ diverse programming needs, ensuring consistency and convenience for both patrons and staff.

Automated Waitlists for Hassle-free Registrations

No more manual management of waitlists! With the new automated waitlist feature, when a patron cancels their registration, the next party in the waitlist seamlessly moves up and receives automatic notification. This ensures that valuable program spots are efficiently filled, maximizing patron participation and satisfaction.

About WhoFi For Iowa Libraries

Iowa public libraries have access to several tools from WhoFi, including a usage counter to  track the number of devices on a wireless network, a community calendar planner and registration tool, and meeting room reservations. Data collected in WhoFi tools is automatically added to the Public Library Annual Survey each year. The WhoFi tools are provided by the State Library of Iowa--at no cost to Iowa's public libraries.  

With special thanks to Christian Gutteridge for contributing this article,
be sure to tap into the many services that WhoFi has to offer your library! 
Reach out to WhoFi at support@whofi.com Learn more at the button below

WhoFi For Iowa Libraries

Please Take A Moment 😊

Earlier this month, Emily Bainter sent news about a summer survey regarding State Library programs and services.  This survey remains open through July 31, so if you haven’t yet taken part in answering the survey, there’s still time.  And we will appreciate it!

This is an opportunity to comment on some of the programs and resources offered by the State Library this past fiscal year.  Your feedback will help us gauge our success and also identify how to best apply our funding to have the greatest impact to Iowa libraries and Iowans. Responses will also be used to report on our federal programs; this reporting is required by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

This survey is anonymous. You will be presented with a list of programs and resources, then asked to rank your agreement with the following statements for each item:

• I am satisfied that the resource is meeting my library needs
• Applying the resource will help improve library services to the public

The survey will then ask you to list the top three things the State Library provides that have the greatest impact at your library. You will also have the opportunity to share additional comments or feedback in an open-ended field at the end of the survey.

This survey opened on July 8 and remains open through July 31. 
Thank you so much for your time and your feedback!

Take the State Library Survey

Friending the Public Library: How Friends and Foundations Invest in the Library's Future.  Online.  August 7. 1:00-2:00PM

Friends Groups are an ideal way to develop a close-knit community of library advocates. But how do you get this group of potential advocates together, and what if the group proves to be less than friendly? Should your library have a Friends Group or a Foundation—or both? Learn the answers to these and other questions as the instructors provide information about how to start a group and keep it going. We'll also answer some common legal questions about these types of groups. Lastly, we'll showcase some successful and interesting examples of how libraries have developed and maintained their own Friends and Foundations.

Introducing Library Directors to the Public Library
Compensation Toolkit.  Online. August 8. 1:00-2:00PM  

There’s a new resource from the State Library of Iowa: The Public Library Compensation Toolkit. Intended for directors and boards, this toolkit is a resource to understand the value library employees provide to the community and establish a basis for determining the fair market value of staff positions. The Toolkit includes supporting documents, too, including a Job Analysis Questionnaire, along with job description templates. Whether you are planning to hire a new staff member or whether you’re working on freshening job descriptions, The Public Library Compensation Toolkit offers great guidance. This webinar will explain how this new Toolkit came about, how to use it, and why it’s sure to be a valuable go-to resource for library directors and boards.

Register in IALearns