... And a Friday afternoon response to this thread - I'll admit to this,
particularly to those who know me, that this is rather tongue in cheek.
BUT ... !!
Of course, there is the ultimate in self service which is now
technologically feasible - the fully automated library. I've been
talking to colleagues about this for something like 10-15 years
particularly while following RFID in it's early days, and coined it as
"The Argos Library" (self explanatory I hope) - I must admit I've since
chatted with someone who also described something similar using the same
name so it's in no way a unique view.
This is a completely closed access solution with library users sitting
in a comfortable environment, say coffee shop style, selecting the
material they wish to borrow from a "virtual" library using a fully
enriched catalogue and . All stock has it's own place in the "book
warehouse" and is delivered to the user ready issued, etc. Whether
automatically taken from and returned to the shelves depends on whether
you want any human staff - robots seem to be able to do more and more
these days.
Finally, to be really contentious, with the increasing use of e-books,
why have a library building at all, no need for staff either - do it all
from home. We also wouldn't need RFID technology as there would be no
physical books, just digital ones. Mind you no more shelf tidying, no
missing books, no grubby books, and no fines as, if the e-books were
borrowed, they'd "self destruct at midnight on their due date!!
Give each child the most appropriate device to access this data, pretty
much at birth and off you go - sorted for life, from picture books to
whatever!
It's all getting very close to Arthur C. Clarke's vision of the future
of books in, I think from memory, in 2061 which was quite scary with
those who actually read paper books and documents being seen as very
strange people.
Graham
Graham Dash, MCLIP, Library Services Manager (Systems & Development)
Environment & Leisure Group, Leisure & Libraries
London Borough of Sutton, Central Library, St Nicholas Way, SUTTON,
Surrey SM1 1EA .
Tel.: 020 8770 4763, Mobile: 07515137830, Fax: 020 8770 4777
Borough web site: www.sutton.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=907
Library Catalogue web site: www.sutton-libraries.gov.uk
P Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail.
-----Original Message-----
From: lis-pub-libs: UK Public Libraries
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Dan Holmes
Sent: 25 August 2009 14:21
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: book vending machines
Hi all
There is also a device made by NBD/Biblion in the Netherlands which has
been installed in at least one village. This is much bigger than a
simple vending machine, as it holds about 6,000 items, but it is
entirely self-service and works like a hole-in-the-wall cash dispenser.
http://www.nbdbiblion.nl/?pagina=17487. (In Dutch but there is a video
and brochure). I can provide more details if anyone is interested.
Regards
Dan
Dan Holmes | Library Sales | UK Library Division | Infor | direct: 0044
1454 892212 | fax: 0044 870 4214095 | [log in to unmask] | 2 Westpoint
Row | Great Park Road | Bradley Stoke | Bristol | BS32 4QG | Visit our
Web site at: www.vubis-smart.com
-----Original Message-----
From: lis-pub-libs: UK Public Libraries
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Mick Fortune
Sent: 25 August 2009 12:43
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: book vending machines
Hi Lesley
Hope you don't mind but this topic should also interest the RFID list so
am posting there.
There are several machines around but the one in Newcastle seems to be
the only UK implementation up to now. It was reported on the BBC but I
can't find the link. (Sadly it wasn't working very well at the time!).
Here's a video of one I have actually used! (
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjpPm0QZ7qw ) It's in Verona, Italy. The
machine is in the council offices and enables staff to use the public
library without actually having to go there! It was supplied by Comperio
http://www.comperio.it/sscms/ an Italian LMS provider who may be looking
to moving into the UK market at some future date. I have contact details
if anyone wants them.
Kind regards
Mick
Mick Fortune
m. +44 (0)7786 625544 t. +44 (0)1865 727411
> -----Original Message-----
> From: lis-pub-libs: UK Public Libraries [mailto:LIS-PUB-
> [log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of lesley Speed
> Sent: 25 August 2009 09:05
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: book vending machines
>
> Hi
> Does anyone use book vending machines and if so which companies
> provide them? I know 3M do but I need to compare the spec and prices
> so I'd like to know of any other companies if there are any.
> Thanks
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