Just over a year on (from the post below) and the implementation of tech solutions to support unstaffed operations has moved on. The Local Government Library Technology (LGLibTech)  page has been updated to include recent comments from Ian Anstice (Public library News) and news from Bibliotheca.

See: https://lglibtech.wikispaces.com/Unstaffed+Open+Libraries  “Peterborough love it and argue that, instead of closing libraries, they were able to extend opening hours” Ian has some questions though.....

 

Any participating libraries are most welcome to add their experience to the LGLibTech page...editing is open to all....

Ken

 

In its recent (April) press release on the Open+ unstaffed library operation solution, Bibliotheca mentioned that  there are "commercial trials already underway with 5 customers around the UK". Does anyone know which libraries they are?  It would be good to share the information via the ‘unstaffed –open libraries’ page of Local Government Library Technology (LGLibTech) https://lglibtech.wikispaces.com/Unstaffed+Open+Libraries  This page has useful background on the concept and the solutions available.

In its press release Bibliotheca’s said their solution extends beyond RFID based self service and  "can automatically control and monitor building access, self-service kiosks, public access computers, lighting, alarms, public announcements and patron safety to allow library branches to be automated during hours when staff are not available” Extended (unmanned) opening hours might  enable public libraries to increase the value of new offerings like the “Access to Research” initiative: http://accesstoresearch.pls.org.uk/

 

Although aimed primarily  at public libraries this kind of solution might work well in libraries of other type. Some HE libraries have already implemented long opening hours. I was at the University of Bath in June where the: “Library building is open 24 hours a day: all year round and including all national holidays”.

http://www.bath.ac.uk/library/about/open.html

 

Ken

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