ABSTRACT Hamilton Public Library’s northernmost rural branch in Ontario’s Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) leveraged technology to offer customers Extended Access to the library, a valued community resource. Using a unique model of virtual assistance to support customers remotely, customers connect with information staff at the system’s Central Library, when needed. Library hours increased from 17 to 60 hours per week: customer visits and programming participation subsequently increased. This successful pilot encouraged a second Extended Access Branch, with early data suggesting similar positive results. Now, with careful planning and attention to the pilot principles, additional locations are planned.

中文翻译：

---

具有远程员工支持的 Open+ 技术改善了分支机构的访问并增强了社区参与

摘要 汉密尔顿公共图书馆位于安大略省大多伦多和汉密尔顿地区 (GTHA) 的最北端农村分馆利用技术为客户提供对图书馆的扩展访问，这是一种宝贵的社区资源。使用独特的虚拟协助模型远程支持客户，客户可以在需要时与系统中央图书馆的信息人员联系。图书馆工作时间从每周 17 小时增加到 60 小时：客户访问和编程参与随后增加。这个成功的试点鼓励了第二个扩展访问分支，早期数据表明类似的积极结果。现在，通过仔细规划和注意试点原则，计划了更多的地点。