3M Self Issue terminal at Maidenhead Library
| Published date | 01 January 1997 |
| Date | 01 January 1997 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/eb040620 |
| Pages | 20-23 |
| Author | Noeleen Cookman |
| Subject Matter | Information & knowledge management |
3M Self Issue terminal
at Maidenhead
Library
by Noeleen Cookman, Group Librarian,
and Heather Burgess, Branch Supervi-
sor, Maidenhead Library
Maidenhead Library was
the
first public library
in
the UK
to introduce
a 3M
Self Issue
terminal. This article outlines the necessary
preparation, the problems
and
advantages
of
the Self Issue system,
and
highlights some
key points
for
consideration.
Introduction
Maidenhead Library was
the
first public library
in
the United Kingdom
to
introduce
a 3M
Self Issue
terminal.
It
was introduced
on a 6
months trial,
with
the
public launch of the system taking place
on
30
November 1995.
The
system was launched
by Cllr George Mair, Chairman
of
Berkshire
County Council's Community Services committee,
along with senior library managers, representatives
of
3M
and the
press.
The Self Issue terminal
is
designed
to
improve
the
service
to
customers
and
maximise
the use of
staff
time.
The
terminal consists of a monitor, with
a
scanner attached, standing
on a
cabinet that houses
the hard drive
and
keyboard
(to
which
the
public
has
no
access).
The
monitor has on-screen instruc-
tions
to
assist
the
public with
the
issuing of their
books.
The
terminal
has no
facility
for the
return
of
items.
As
well
as
issuing
the
books,
the
terminal
has
a
desensitiser
to
allow books through
the
library's
3M
security system. Once
the
reader
has
issued
all
their books,
and
removed their library
ticket,
the
printer will issue
a
receipt, giving details
of books issued
and due
back dates.
The
terminal
has been
set up to not
accept
a
library ticket that
has fines outstanding,
or a
note
on the
ticket that
needs staff
service,
so
that staff can deal with
customers
who
really need personal assistance
and
the other customers
can
issue their own books
without delays. Management information, such
as
statistics,
can be
obtained from
the
hard drive.
The
terminal
is
linked
to the
Dynix library circulation
system.
Preparation
The initial preparation included liaison between
Cultural Services
IT
Unit, Dynix
and 3M,
along
with local staff to cover the publicity, promotion,
staff training,
and to
ensure that
the
terminal
was
compatible with
the
current library circulation
and
security system. Before
the
terminal
was
made
available
for
public use,
it
was
set up in a
staff area
to test
its
application
in
Maidenhead
and to
train
staff.
Staff familiarisation with
the
system
is
most
important.
To
overcome
the
initial staff resistance
to what
may be
perceived
as a
'replacement'
for
staff, it
was ensured that
all
local staff were fully
trained
and
comfortable using
the
terminal them-
selves. They were also reassured
by
word
and
action that staff would
not be
removed.
In
fact
it
would give staff more time
to do
other tasks,
which would therefore enhance
our
customer
service.
For
the first
2
weeks from
the
date of the
launch,
and
every Saturday
in
December 1995,
a
member
of staff,
from either 3M, Cultural Services
IT Unit
or
Maidenhead Library,
was
permanently
stationed
at the
terminal
to
demonstrate
the
system
and assist
the
public
to use the
Self Issue terminal.
Initial problems
To begin with,
as
with
any new
system,
a
number
of 'teething' problems were experienced.
In the
early days there were several problems:
• Barcodes
in the
books were
in the
wrong
position
—
they should
be
positioned
at the
bottom of a page. Some of the older
bookstock
had
barcodes that could
not be
read
by the
scanner. Both these problems
were overcome
by
undertaking
a
planned
programme
to
re-barcode
all
problem books.
•
The
inability of the terminal
to
scan
children's picture books because they were
too thin
for
the barcode
to be in the
right
position
for
the scanner
—
this
has now
been rectified.
• Initially, problems were experienced with
the printer
not
printing receipts properly,
as
well
as the
cutter
in the
printer being broken
and needing
to be
replaced.
The
printer
was
20
—
VINE 105
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