Huntsville, Alabama (November 1, 1994) - SIRSI announces the release of its new SelfCheck Server, an interface to the 3M SelfCheck System.

The SelfCheck Server allows sites to automate library checkout by transmitting information between SIRSI's UNICORN/STILAS information management systems and the 3M SelfCheck System. Checkout can be performed entirely by the library patron, permitting library staff to concentrate on other library tasks.

Greg Hathorn, Director of Sales and Marketing at SIRSI, said, "SIRSI is always on the lookout for new technologies that will help librarians help patrons. We are pleased that our UNICORN and STILAS integrated library systems continue to provide the technical maturity to easily take advantage of industry products such as the 3M SelfCheck System."

The Woodworth Library, a STILAS site in Ft. Gordon, Georgia, is one of the first SIRSI customers to receive the SelfCheck Server. Camille Woodruff, Library Director, expects the SelfCheck System to allow better allocation of library staff. "All routine charges will not need to be done by staff members. Our staff will be free to help patrons use library resources instead of being tied down to clerical tasks at the circulation desk."

To use the 3M SelfCheck System, the patron simply follows the graphical directions on the system's screen. The patron is instructed where to place the library card and items, and the 3M SelfCheck System's scanner reads the barcodes.

Once the barcodes are scanned, the SIRSI SelfCheck Server allows the 3M SelfCheck System to access the user and item records in the UNICORN/STILAS database. UNICORN/STILAS then determines if the user is authorized to borrow items and if the item can be checked out. The screen can display various messages regarding the patron (e.g., user blocked, privileges expired) or the item (e.g., item is already charged, item cannot be circulated).

When the user and items are approved, UNICORN/STILAS checks out the items to the user. Charge transactions instantly update the appropriate files, just as at a regular UNICORN/STILAS workstation. The SelfCheck Server notifies the 3M SelfCheck System that the transaction is complete, and a date due receipt is printed.

The SelfCheck Server can be also be configured to include security features such as use of personal identification numbers (PINs) and patron barcode time-out. With the patron barcode time- out, the library can designate an amount of time that a user barcode is allowed to remain in the 3M SelfCheck System. Once the time has passed, the user is blocked. This prevents unlimited checkout of materials and the use of library cards accidentally left behind by patrons.