The process of borrowing books from Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality’s libraries is now being made far easier and quicker for users thanks to the introduction of a self service kiosk that allows users to issue their own books.
The interactive new technology launched at seven out of the 22 municipal libraries in the city on Wednesday, 30 May was introduced by the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality to ensure more efficiency in the libraries.
The self help unit allows borrowers to issue their books and magazines without the assistance of a librarian. The system does not compromise the security of library books as it is directly linked with the electronic library management system.
According to the system operators, Trevor Booysen of CSX Customer Services, the new system is expected to increase productivity at libraries as it will allow users to do their own check-out of books.
Booysen says at the moment, the system does not make provision for check-in services yet, but it also gives the user full access to their library accounts to check details such as fines, book return dates, book titles and also allows the user to renew their books without having the book in their possession.
“The self service kiosk does not take over the functions of the librarians, but it creates more time for the librarians to focus on their core function of assisting patrons with information and assistance in the libraries. The safety of books is also not compromised because the books are only desensitised from the alarm system once they are checked out on the system,” he said.
Booysen also congratulated the NMBM for being the first Municipality in the country to introduce such an interactive technology in its libraries.
Patrons are also issued with a receipt when they check out of books with all the relevant information, such as the books return date, on it. Booysen said that although libraries also stock audio visuals, the system does not allow for these check-outs because of safety precautions.
NMBM Assistant Director of Libraries, Bongiwe Chigumbu, said the self service units are part of an IT infrastructural upgrade of the libraries.
“We believe that this system will assist with the efficiency of our libraries. We hope that our users will find it very useful,” she said.
Chigumbu said at this stage, only seven libraries will have one of the self help units, but that in future it is planned for all libraries to have one, depending on the availability of funding.
Uitenhage library user, Paul De Boer, said he was pleased to be using the self help unit, and he could see its benefits in ensuring more efficiency in libraries.
“This is a really good idea for our libraries, especially for those who do not have the time to hang around and wait to be assisted. It is much better for us as patrons to be able to assist ourselves when we need to check-out books,” he said.
The libraries equipped with the self help unit are Uitenhage Library, Linton Grange Library, New Brighton Library, West End Library, Walmer Library, Main Library and Newton Park Library.
NMB Communications
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