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
Ken Chad Consulting Ltd Tel:
+44(0)7788727845 http://www.kenchadconsulting.com Twitter:
@kenchad Skype: kenchadconsulting
From: lis-pub-libs: UK Public Libraries
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Ken Chad
Sent: 02 July 2014 09:10
To: [log in to unmask]
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
Ken Chad Consulting Ltd Tel: +44(0)7788727845 http://www.kenchadconsuting.com
Twitter: @kenchad Skype: kenchadconsulting