2009, October 13 - Cham, Switzerland. At the beginning of September, the Zug Municipal and Cantonal Library successfully put into operation the BiblioChip RFID system with the Next Generation Software and BiblioCockpit. This puts the library at the cutting edge of library technology and makes it one of the most innovative public libraries in Switzerland.
"Our users and staff are enthusiastic about the simplicity, speed and reliability of media check-out with the new software. Operating the automatic check-out touchscreen - with a modern look comparable to that of the iPhone - is virtually self-explanatory, even simpler than using electronic fruit and vegetable scales," comments library director Heinz Morf. Manuela Kettler of Bibliotheca confirms this: "The newly-developed software requires only half as many clicks by the user than the previous system. So it's true that checking out media is very fast and user-friendly."
"BiblioCockpit gives us a live overview of all processes from a central workplace at all times. It is great to be able to get status information this way on the entire RFID system any time. We can retrieve performance statistics relating to all RFID appliances or take direct support action for any element of the system at any time," says Heinz Morf.
Why self-service?
The Zug Municipal and Cantonal Library is a well-visited and popular institution. When the library first went into operation in the current building in 1987, a library staff member processed an average of around 14,000 annual check-outs a year; by last year this figure had increased to almost 42,000. This enormous increase was only made possible by cutting back on other tasks. The idea behind the introduction of user check-out facilities is to revive these other services. The aim is not just to generate time for more consultation and support: the library also wants to be able to offer the introductory sessions that are frequently requested, and invest more time in maintaining book and media stocks.
There is clearly huge potential in user check-out facilities: as early as the fifth day after re-opening and with around 4,000 check-outs in a single day, the library achieved the fourth highest number in its history. These check-outs were easily handled by the users themselves using the two table and stand devices.
About the library
The Zug Municipal and Cantonal Library houses two libraries under a single roof: the general public library of the Municipality of Zug and the study and educational library for the Municipality and Canton of Zug. The open access and reference holdings, which represents around half of the 207,000 media, are fitted with RFID labels and secured by the BiblioGate, while the journal and magazine collection still makes use of the existing barcode system. The library acquires approximately 14,000 documents a year. There are over 18,000 active registered users who borrow some 682,000 media per year.