The average stay at UCSF is more than a month. During this period, there is high demand from patients for reading, viewing and listening materials. Locating, purchasing, sterilizing, storing and retaining materials in requested languages are hospital challenges. By creating a means for patients to apply for a digital-access library card, SFPL helps meet patient/patron demand. Further, our digital collections for youth allow hospitalized parents to share reassuring and high-quality storytimes with their visiting children.

SFPL provides applications, physical cards, training and technical assistance on apps (e.g., Hoopla, Flipster, PressReader) to be auto-loaded on loaner devices (which are wiped and re-imaged every evening for privacy) or uploaded on personal devices. UCSF volunteers assist patients in application and account creation; after review, forms are faxed to SFPL for immediate account creation and card activation. (For an upgrade to full-access, patrons visit SFPL with proof of current address after discharge from UCSF.)

During the pilot period, feedback has been positive. Once the initial set-up is complete, it is a high-benefit/no-cost program for both organizations; the hospital gains vast entertainment and educational materials (and volunteers are already visiting all newly admitted patients), and the library expands outreach and circulation to a highly receptive audience without expending scarce staff time (applications arrive at our office). We anticipate expanding to UCSF’s other locations as well as other San Francisco hospitals.