Anstey the echidna shows us how easy self checkout is.

With less than 2 weeks until we get our brand new self checkout kiosks, our resident RFID expert Benjamin took some time to chat about this exciting project…

Why has the Library chosen to use RFID and self checkout machines?

Libraries are modern institutions and deserve to have state-of-the-art technology. In recent years RFID has started to become a standard for libraries – it saves time, improves our stock management, and will relieve staff of the strain of handling many thousands of items every year.

Where is the RFID technology coming from?

Our supplier is an Australian company called FE Technologies. They supply RFID to many other libraries, including City of Onkaparinga’s six library branches south of the city.

What are the benefits of RFID for the public?

The 5 new self checkout kiosks will eliminate queues when we’re busy. They will also free up staff from checking items in and out all day, giving us more time to help customers with other enquiries. We will be able to spend more time helping people find things or showing them how to use technology such as eBooks.

What are the benefits of RFID for library staff?

RFID will not only save us time, but it will also reduce the strain that Library work has on our bodies! Currently we check out over 950,000 items every year – then check them all back in again, one by one. With RFID that strain will be greatly reduced. Customers will check out their own items, and we’ll be able to check in several items at a time.

What do you think of the new self checkout machines?

The new machines are quick, easy and fun!

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The Library will be closed on September 17 and 18 while our self checkout machines are being installed. For more information on our RFID project, see our previous blog posts.

Here’s a sneak peek at what our new RFID self checkout kiosks will look like:

We will have 5 of these kiosks in the Library, to replace our current checkout counter. Now that we have this one to practise on, we can use it to train our staff in preparation for our go live day on Thursday 19 September. We’ll hopefully also get to put it near the Customer Service Desk leading up to the day so you can see how it works.

 Using these kiosks is as easy as 1 – 2 – 3:

1. Scan your library card
2. Place your items on the kiosk
3. Collect your receipt.

The kiosks are powered by RFID technology, meaning multiple items can be checked out in a matter of seconds. No more barcode scanning!

Don’t forget that the Library will be closed on Tuesday 17 and Wednesday 18 September while our new equipment is installed – see here for more details. You can also read more about our self checkout project here.

If you have any questions, you’re welcome to post a comment below or ask a staff member on your next Library visit.

Our self checkout project is well underway and we’re in the middle of preparing the collection for our go-live date in September. You might have been to our book sale earlier this year, or maybe you’ve seen staff and volunteers weeding old items out of the collection. Now we’re up to the tagging stage.

When we launch self checkout in September, the equipment we use to scan items will change. Instead of using scanners to read the barcode on the back of a book or DVD, special pads on our new self checkout kiosks will detect the information on an RFID tag that will be attached to each item. This equipment can scan multiple items at a time, so checking your books out will be much quicker!

Here’s what we’ve been doing with each item that needs an RFID tag:

1. We scan the item at one of our Tagging Stations
2. The printer creates a unique RFID tag for the item
3. The label is attached inside the cover
4. Only 119,999 to go!

We’re hoping to get everything in the collection tagged over the next 7 weeks. We’ve just started on the magazine section – if you need anything from an area we’re working in, just ask and we’ll help you find what you need.