Skip to main content

Set up a shared desk device

Turn a shared computer or tablet into the library's desk, once, so volunteers only ever need their PIN.

Who can do this: coordinators and admins, on the device itself.

You do not need any special kit. Any laptop, Chromebook, tablet or phone with a modern web browser can run the desk. You do not need a barcode scanner or member cards either: volunteers can type a member's name, or a toy's name or the number written on it. See Run the desk without a scanner.

Volunteers do not share a login. A coordinator turns on desk mode on the device (this is called enrolling it), and from then on each volunteer taps their name and types their own PIN.

Running the desk on your own phone?

If you are a coordinator or admin using your own phone or laptop, you do not need to enrol it. You are already signed in as yourself, so there is no volunteer list and no PIN. See Run the desk on your own phone.

Before you start​

  • Each volunteer needs a desk PIN. Set them in Settings > Team and devices (see Team and devices).
  • Know which site the device will live at. A desk device belongs to one site.

Steps​

  1. On the device, open your library's site and Sign in with your coordinator or admin account.
  2. Go to your library's desk: add /desk to your library's address (for example hollowbrook.gizzago.com/desk). Bookmark it, or add it to the home screen.
  3. The desk says This device is not set up for the desk. Press Enrol this device.
  4. Choose the Site the device belongs to. The Name for this device fills itself in, for example "Hollowbrook Community Centre desk". Type over it if you like, such as "Hall laptop".
  5. Press Turn on desk mode for your site.
What you'll see

The device shows Who's on the desk? with your volunteers' names. From now on, volunteers tap their name and type their PIN. You can sign out of your own account on the device; desk mode stays on.

What works as a desk​

  • A laptop or Chromebook. Volunteers type names and toy numbers, and use the arrow keys and Enter to pick. See Keyboard shortcuts.
  • A tablet. Landscape works best, with the member's details beside the visit.
  • A phone. One thing at a time on the screen, with big buttons.
  • A barcode scanner, if you have one. A USB or Bluetooth scanner that types into the screen works with any of these. It is optional. If you use one, switch on We scan barcodes at the desk in Settings > Borrowing so the desk asks volunteers to scan.

Desk mode still works when your browser blocks other sites' cookies, so you do not need to change any browser settings.

How long it lasts​

Desk mode lasts 90 days on that device, then a coordinator enrols it again. If a device is lost or stolen, turn it off straight away in Settings > Team and devices > Desk devices; the next time anyone uses it, it asks to be enrolled again.