Instinct had originally designed the existing counter installation, utilising the then state of the art BOOKFLO height adjustable counters. The installation had served the University well, however in keeping with the latest tertiary library trends, the library executive now wished to move to a more open and collaborative environment.
The perfect circulation counter and help desk
Paul White, our Director of Design, worked with John Garraway: Assistant University Librarian, and Elizabeth McKenzie: Lending, Interloan and Enquiries Services Manager, to plan a front of house design that supported the working requirements of staff and encouraged an enhanced customer interaction.
Not just one, but two oval meeting ends to liaise with customers
The new front of house features our popular GLO 1600 Help Stations and GLO 2000 Issues Stations. The Client chose GLO for its sharp looks, high functionality and mobility. Tawa veneer was selected to provide warmth and richness and hardwearing Stonex specified for the high use issues stations
GLO enables staff to personalise their workplace and respond to the demands of the day
GLO’s meeting ovals provide a place for staff to work naturally alongside the customer, either sitting or standing. The double oval design on the GLO 2000 provides all these benefits along with a larger work surface supporting high volume book issue.
GLO allows staff to adjust the worktop height at the touch of a button
Supporting safe work practice, GLO allows staff to adjust the worktop height from seated to standing at the touch of a button – short or tall staff, busy periods or quiet, and special needs (like customers in wheel chairs), GLO enables staff to personalise their workplace and respond to the demands of the day.
At the University the new semester is well underway and Elizabeth McKenzie reports, “The new Lending and Enquiry desks have drawn positive comments from our regular patrons and from library staff. The desk configuration is less intimidating for our patrons and the flexibility of configuration is a bonus.”

GLO 2000 provides a choice of areas to interact with customers, either sitting or standing
“At the beginning of semester, we were able to move one of the enquiry desks closer to the library entrance to deal with the large influx of new students and provide quick answers for basic questions. The new furniture has helped to transform the area into one that is much better in meeting our current needs”, said Elizabeth.