ReadingRoom

ReadingRoom is a web app (with optional mobile-friendly check-in) that lets special collections staff manage researcher appointments, item requests, and reading-room capacity in one place. Researchers submit a visit request, select dates, agree to handling rules, and request materials using call numbers or collection identifiers. Staff get a queue to approve, suggest alternatives, flag restricted items, and generate pull slips. On-site, staff can check items in/out to a seat, log handling incidents, and capture simple stats (turnaround time, most-requested collections, no-show rate). This is not a full collection management system; it’s a lightweight layer that sits between email and existing ILS/archives platforms. Realistically, it wins by saving staff hours, reducing errors, and making the researcher experience predictable without forcing a massive migration.