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Our Journey Down the Self-Check Road

Our Journey Down the Self-Check Road. Mduduzi Madondo 18/11/2010. What is a self check out?. A decision was made to purchase the machine A self check out machine enables library users to issue library materials without going to the circulation staff. What is a Self – Check (S.C) Machine?.

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Our Journey Down the Self-Check Road

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  1. Our Journey Down the Self-Check Road Mduduzi Madondo 18/11/2010

  2. What is a self check out? A decision was made to purchase the machine A self check out machine enables library users to issue library materials without going to the circulation staff. Footer

  3. What is a Self – Check (S.C) Machine? A Self-Check Machine is a self-service machine that enables library clients to check out and check in items without going to the circulation or lending desk. Although self-checkout technology has been around for about 15 year s, library workers have not yet needed to worry about being rendered obsolete. Many libraries have added self-check technology, but library personnel has to be stationed in the area to help with the problems. In this presentation I will discuss the University of Johannesburg library’s journey down the self-check road share lessons learned along the way and offer tips for making such an experience more successful. Footer

  4. The University of Johannesburg have four Campus Libraries - They are: • Kingsway Campus Library (APK) • Doornfontein Campus Library (DFC) • Bunting Road Campus Library (APB) • And Soweto Campus Library (SWC) We first tried this technology in 2003 by purchasing a 3M self-check system, which was compatible with our security gate technology. Footer

  5. Criteria needed to use the S.C. • The machine allows you to check out the library materials without going to the Circulation desk. • You first need to be a registered student of the University of Johannesburg. • Your record information need to be uploaded to our Millennium Circulation system. • You need to have a “clean” Library record. Footer

  6. Using the S.C Machine to Checkout Library material(s) • Swipe your student card/staff card at the right hand corner of the machine. • The machine displays your information. • Place your book on the machine with the barcode of the book facing the upwards towards the machine’s laser light • Scan your item towards the laser light • Then you press the “done” button. • Wait for the machine to print the return date slip. Footer

  7. S.C Machine and Staff • Generally staff felt threatened by this ‘machine’ – they feared their presence will be seen as redundant and this will result in them losing their jobs. • Staff needed to be assured that this was part of embracing the new innovation in the library environment. • They needed to be assured that this will is part of enabling them to multi skill. • It ensure that we are on par with the latest professional development. Footer

  8. Advantages and Disadvantages of a Self-Check out Machine • Advantages: • Promotes Multi skilling to the Circulation staff • Time saving for our clients • It is very convenient • Promotes “clean” record for our clients • Has a built in statistics • Compatible with the library security system • Disadvantages: • “Technology shy” users are reluctant to use the machine • Barcodes wear out with the constant usage • Barcode positioning on an item • Sometimes clients lose the due date slips Footer

  9. Budget • The machine is not cheap. • A proper budgeting is needed and a good motivation by the library management to the University financial committee. • You need to have a separate Power point, a separate Data Line • There must be a budget for repair and maintenance. Footer

  10. Challenges • Like any automated systems, if the power or the network is down it does not have a backup system • You need an extra Data and power point • Barcodes wear out. And the machine is unable to read it • If the positioning of the barcode is not in the correct place the machine is unable to read it. • If the paper roll is finished the patron will not be issued with the slip information him/her of the due date. Footer

  11. Tips for anyone who will want to purchase the Machine in future • Proper planning • Make sure that you provide adequate information/training to your staff • Have a good marketing strategy to your clients • Have a dedicated staff member to help with any query. • Make sure that next to the machine you have clear instructions for the students to follow in using the machine • Embrace new technology. Footer

  12. Implication to the Circulation statistics *Productivity: A Team Leader or Circulation Head must monitor the usage and the monthly statistics • Control: the person that is assigned to supervise the usage must maintain proper control. • Work load: The work load must be monitored • Interaction with the library clients: there must be constant interaction with the clients in order the be able to see if the machine is adding an value to the provision of a better and an improved service * Footer

  13. CONCLUSION • I THANK YOU Footer

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