Data Research has announced the general release of a fully integrated interface between its circulation module and the 3M SelfCheck System, a device which lets patrons check out or renew materials without library staff assistance. Although 3M has previously produced custom interfaces to a variety of library systems, this appears to be the first time a library system vendor has developed its own fully integrated interface.
Because of the total integration between the Data Research circulation module and the 3M SelfCheck System, it is possible to verify the validity of the patron's library card and to instantaneously update the status of items being checked out or renewed. Simple menus on the SelfCheck System walk the patron through the check-out process. When used with the Data Research interface, the software incorporated security measures to prevent improper use of the system. The SelfCheck System demagnetizes non-video materials upon check-out so they can pass through security gates; however, the Data Research interface recognizes and avoids demagnetizing video materials to prevent damage to the material. The Data Research interface also ensures that the system is screen-independent, which means that libraries can customize their screens or screens can be updated in future releases without affecting the system's operation.
[Contact: Data Research Associates, Inc., 1276 North Warson Road, P.O. Box 8495, St. Louis, MO 63132-1806; (314) 432-1100 or (800) 325-0888; Fax (314) 993-8927.]
