Library Book Request Form

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Strengths:

• Clear Sections: The form is logically organized into sections, making it easy for patrons to understand what information is needed where.
• Required vs. Optional Fields: Clearly differentiating required and optional fields helps patrons prioritize and avoids overwhelming them with too much information at once.
• Comprehensive Book Information: Asking for ISBN, publisher, edition, and year of publication, in addition to title and author, significantly increases the chances of finding the correct book, especially if there are multiple editions. The series information is also very helpful.
• Reason for Request: Understanding the patron's purpose for the request helps librarians provide better service and potentially suggest alternative resources.
• Format Preference: Offering format options caters to different reading preferences and accessibility needs.
• Availability and Handling: The questions about holds, notification, and pickup location streamline the process and manage patron expectations.
• Open-Ended "Other" Options: Providing space for additional comments or specifying "other" reasons allows patrons to communicate unique needs or requests that might not fit the predefined categories.

Potential Improvement:

• Genre/Subject Assistance: For patrons who are unsure of the exact genre or subject, you could provide a link to the library's online catalog or a list of common genres. This could be a small note under the field.