Blacktown City Libraries lead through technology
Friday, July 11, 2008
World Leaders in the latest Radio Frequency Identification Customer Service Technology
Mayor of Blacktown City, Councillor Leo Kelly, OAM today launched the Radio Frequency Identification Customer Service Technology (RFID) system that uses the latest technologies at Blacktown City's Max Webber Library.
The UHF Generation 2 advanced technology developed in Australia by Civica Pty Ltd, offers library users the opportunity to check out and borrow library books themselves.
With RFID, Library users will no longer need to use the customer service desk for borrowing, instead through this innovative technology, users will be able to self issue their library items. The new RFID system uses advance technologies and will be used at the library's self-issue workstations, automated book returns sorter and resource security system.
To borrow items, library patrons simply follow three easy steps; scan their library card, place items on the RIFD reader and print a receipt - allowing users to take home their items faster than ever before.
"This year alone, the Max Webber Library has issued and returned over 700,000 library items. The use of the identification technology will make future borrows faster which will have a significant impact on the Library's ability to continue to deliver quality customer service amidst the challenge of growing customer needs", Mayor Kelly said.
On returning borrowed items, borrowers can simply place their books, DVD or other items into the returns slot where the RFID sorter, reads the RFID tag and automatically removes the item from the borrower's 'on-loan' record.
This technology system being extremely advanced, sorts each item into one of the seven shelving trolleys according to the item's collection classification - making returned items available items to library patrons at a faster speed.
"This technology offers our Libraries with an innovative way to address the challenges of a rapidly growing community and its demand for information and reliable resources. Council recognises the needs of the community and is determined to maintain its high level of quality customer service through the implementation of this technology", Mayor Kelly said.
It is expected, that all of Council's branch libraries will offer the Identification Customer Service Technology in the near future.