Library Experience – Bibliotheca https://www.bibliotheca.com/en-gb/ Bibliotheca Wed, 25 Jun 2025 18:31:30 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9 https://www.bibliotheca.com/wp-content/uploads/cropped-G-LBLO1017_2017_bibliotheca_long-term_logo_logomark_only_512px-32x32.png Library Experience – Bibliotheca https://www.bibliotheca.com/en-gb/ 32 32 Stockport Libraries Lead the Way with the UK’s First Outdoor remoteLocker https://www.bibliotheca.com/en-gb/customer-story-stockport-libraries/ Wed, 08 Jan 2025 14:00:50 +0000 https://bibliostaged.wpengine.com/?p=86260
Stockport Libraries Lead the Way with the UK’s First Outdoor remoteLocker
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Stockport
May 15, 2025
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Challenge
When one of Stockport’s busiest libraries had to temporarily close for redevelopment, the library faced a significant challenge: how to maintain services for their community. With limited space in their temporary location and a need to continue delivering books and processing returns, a creative solution was necessary. The aim was clear—keep residents connected to library services despite the disruption.
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Solution
Enter the outdoor remoteLocker, a groundbreaking addition to Stockport’s library services and the first of its kind in the UK and Ireland. This innovative self-service solution provides 24/7 access to books, enabling residents to collect reservations and return items at their convenience. Designed to promote a culture of self-service, the remoteLocker complements Stockport’s wider efforts to enhance library accessibility.
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Result
The response from residents has been overwhelmingly positive. In fact, the lockers were in use before staff had even completed their training! Feedback highlights how the 24/7 availability has removed barriers tied to library opening hours, offering a seamless and convenient experience for all users.

Stockport has set a new standard in library services by becoming the first in the UK and Ireland to install an outdoor remoteLocker. This innovative addition aims to enhance accessibility and convenience for residents, offering 24/7 access to pick-up reservations and return books.

Why an Outdoor remoteLocker? 

When one of Stockport’s busiest libraries had to temporarily close to make way for an exciting new library and leisure hub, it became clear that a solution was needed to continue serving the community. As well as a pop-up part-time staff facility, the outdoor remoteLocker was the perfect fit. “We needed to deliver reservations to residents and provide an opportunity to return books,” said the Stockport Libraries team. “This solution ensures 24/7 physical access for our residents.“

The initiative aligns with Stockport’s goal to create a culture of increased accessibility for its library service. This relies on traditional staffed libraries, but also new self-service technology and online resources available 24/7. The challenge was whether residents would adopt the lockers—but the results speak for themselves. “Customers are already using them to return books and pick up reservations, from the minute we went live,” the team shared enthusiastically.

Enhanced Accessibility and Convenience 

The remoteLocker removes barriers to library access by allowing residents to interact with library services on their own schedule, regardless of library opening hours at any time morning or night.

A Smooth Collaboration with Bibliotheca

The Stockport team had high praise for their collaboration with Bibliotheca. “Regular weekly meetings with the Project Manager kept us up to date, and the online training was excellent,” they noted. The installation process exceeded expectations.

Early Success Stories 

Even before staff had completed their training, residents were already using the lockers. This immediate adoption highlights how much the community values the flexibility and accessibility the remoteLocker offers.

Stockport’s outdoor remoteLocker is more than a convenience—it’s a testament to innovation, accessibility, and the enduring importance of library services in our communities.

Stay tuned as we continue to explore the impact of this cutting-edge solution on library services across the UK and Ireland.

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]]> Groundbreaking access: open+ in Manawatū Community Hub Libraries, New Zealand https://www.bibliotheca.com/en-gb/library-story-groundbreaking-access-open-in-manawatu-community-hub-libraries-new-zealand/ Tue, 17 Dec 2024 13:28:23 +0000 https://bibliostaged.wpengine.com/groundbreaking-access-open-in-manawatu-community-hub-libraries-new-zealand/
Groundbreaking access: open+ in Manawatū Community Hub Libraries, New Zealand
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Manawatu
June 25, 2025
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Challenge

Give the community much-needed access to the library after-hours.

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Solution

Use open+ to expand library use to patrons on their own schedules.

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Result

Extended library access that is highly-used and applauded by the community.

Many small towns brand themselves as welcoming, but when the warmth, hospitality, and quality of life are in such abundance that the town is bestowed an official nickname reflecting it all, you know you’ve found an exceptional locale.

Welcome Feilding, New Zealand, aka “Friendly Feilding,” an industrious, lively town in Manawatū District in the North Island. A sunny little burg half an hour from the coast of the Tasman Sea, Feilding has been awarded the title of “New Zealand’s Most Beautiful Town” numerous times and is filled with plentiful arts, outdoor activities, dining, shopping, and livestock (we’ll get to that last part in a moment).

With bright flowers punctuating year-round activities, Feilding prides itself on a strong local business scene and an atmosphere of home and opportunity for individuals and families alike. Each day in the town centre, people are steps away from an honoured emblem of Feilding’s past: a towering clock originally set in motion in 1904, the original mechanisms of which are kept in working order.

Kitchener Park captivates visitors with shimmering green lowlands and wetlands of the Awahuri Forest, resplendent with bright-yellow flowering kōwhai trees, and filled with rare lichens, spiders, and countless other native ecological wonders. The tapestry of Feilding also comes alive at The Coach House Museum, where residents and visitors are introduced to the settlers who took the first steps to create what would become an agricultural powerhouse that feeds the world.

Beyond its robust Farmers’ Market, vintage shopping, and cafés, Feilding is famously home to the largest stock saleyard in the Southern Hemisphere. Agricultural history and industry abound in this famous livestock centre, and its auctions are a vital part of the community economy. With its symphony of baying dogs and bellowing livestock, the nonstop operation of the saleyard keeps district revenue thriving.

Of course, the place offering the most abundant exploration in Feilding and Manawatū District is Manawatū Community Hub Libraries.

Feilding built its first library in 1905, moved it to a larger space in 1980, and, after many decades of use followed by several years of thoughtful planning, recently upgraded it with a complete renovation.

With an eye toward culture, colour, and nature, the result is exquisite, incorporating indoors with outdoors and taking care to include a bird corridor to support the flight patterns of native birds. As a special gesture, the local iwi, Ngāti Kauwhata, renamed the library building Te Āhuru Mōwai, meaning, a “…space that is a safe haven for our community…a place that champions lifelong learning, quenches curiosity, gives access to technology and is a place of exploration of ideas or interests.”

Warrick Taylor, Library Services Leader, and Adie Johansen, Community Services Manager of Manawatū Community Hub Libraries, enthusiastically recall the meticulous planning to integrate access-driven technology into the renovation of the library.

“We have been here since 1980,” Johansen says. “Through the years, the library stayed pretty traditional; lending books was the main focus. Then, in 2014, we did a review on services to make sure we were providing the best value for the money for our community facility. From that, we determined what we needed to do in the future to provide best services, and that pushed us toward RFID and self-service. That was basically the start of the journey for us.”

They quickly realised that the library space was not suited for modern purposes.

“We were one big open space,” she says, “and we were trying to do group things and also have spaces for private meetings, Justice of the Peace sessions, and other activities. We’ve got all sorts of programmes and we run something just about every day of the week, craft programmes and activities. We’ve got a number of partnerships with some regular groups, some who have been with us for years, and we have a huge holiday programme that we run for the community.”

“We were putting groups in the staff rooms,” Taylor shares, “because we already had two groups in the space, and we couldn’t get them far enough apart that they wouldn’t disrupt each other.”

“We started transitioning more into participation and social connection, and moved away from being a transactional library and more into an engagement space,” he explains. “We’re serving the whole region, and while we do have little volunteer community libraries, this one library has to kind of do it all. It takes around three hours to drive from one side of our district to the other. We have a population of about 34,000, with about 17,000 in town and the other 17,000 made up of our huge rural district.

“Our collection suits our audience,” he smiles, “we’ve probably got more books on chickens and smallholdings and tractors than libraries with four times the population.”

Already utilising every bit of space they could, it became obvious that they needed not only more space, but space specifically designed to incorporate more meeting rooms with modern technology options for users.

“That started a redevelopment journey for us,” Johansen says, “and in 2018 we put in a proposal to the Council to upgrade this facility. That was a big journey, and Covid happened to the middle, and for cost and other reasons, it took us a long time to actually get there. But in 2021 we got approval to start this, and we went from a 1,100m facility to close to 1,600m. We added-to and completely upgraded pretty much every inch of this facility. We introduced purpose-built meeting rooms and spaces, gave the library its own core area, introduced nice seating spaces and collaboration tables, and managed to include a makerspace and cafe.”

Taylor reflected on the revelations that occurred while they planned. “As we went through the development of what this facility needed for our community moving forward, we quickly learned that people in our community do a lot of things at night. During the day, they work, and there are a lot of farming communities here that make use of daylight. So, when they requested to have a swim club meeting, or a workshop, or some other type of meeting, it was all happening between 6 and 9pm.”

Initially, the library scheduled staff to be in the facility after-hours for clubs and meetings led by the community, but for budgetary reasons that became untenable. They needed a solution that wouldn’t require staffing the library after-hours. Already longtime users of Bibliotheca selfChecks, they were told about open+ and ultimately reached out to Scott County Library in Minnesota after encountering a story on LinkedIn about Scott County’s success with open+ for after-hours access.

Johansen connected with Kristy Rieger, Technology Manager at Scott County Library.

“Kristy was beyond helpful,” she says, “We had video chats, and she provided us with all of her documentation, background, and what they got up to. They’ve been running open+ for about four years. Now, we have it, too, and it allows the community to access the library to browse, use computers and wifi, print, copy, scan, check-out books, study, and use pre-booked meeting rooms with a PIN.”

Initially, library staff were hesitant about granting patron access to the library after-hours, but Johansen says “…they’re fantastic, now, and were even after the first couple of days. We have a process similar to what Kristy set up in Scott County, in that it’s not a blanket approval. You actually have to physically come into the library and go through an orientation with staff, and we talk you through how to use Open Plus after-hours access, what’s appropriate and not appropriate while you’re here. That seems to be the first thing that weeds out undesirable behaviours: if you’re not prepared to come and have a face-to-face with staff, then you’re not getting access.”

She continues, “Once staff got through the first couple of orientations and got comfortable doing them, and once staff recognised that nothing was out of place the mornings after patrons had after-hours access, it was like an instant sigh of relief. Patrons are loving this, they’re respecting this, this is great for our community. Staff got into showcasing it and they’re doing a really good job of talking about it. The team will say, ‘Oh, look! Don’t forget! You can come in after hours!'”

The library advertises the opportunity for patrons to access the facility after-hours in a welcoming and reassuring way:

“Open Plus is a membership add-on that provides self-service access to Manawatū Community Hub Libraries (MCHL) at our facility – Te Āhuru Mōwai, in extension of staffed hours up to 11pm. It does not replace or reduce staffed hours. Instead, it provides our community with more opportunities to use Te Āhuru Mōwai when it works best for them. It works similarly to 24/7 gyms where members use their membership card to unlock the facility.”

In preparing to implementing open+, Taylor and Johansen preemptively reached out to Feilding police and fire departments, and before the renovated library opened, the very first tour was given to the police and fire teams. Together with library crew, they walked the entire facility and ironed out safety details, and the library supplied fobs permitting twenty-four-hour entry into the facility and PIN codes for emergency call centres.

Johansen explains, “If someone rings and says, ‘I’m at the Community Hub in Feilding,’ the call centre tells the police, ‘Here’s the PIN code to get in and help this person’ so no one has to go outside and try to flag the police in. They can always get into this building, and we did the same thing with the fire brigade, in case any situation happened.”

After the police and fire brigades toured the library and understood the plans for extended access, Johansen says, “They realised, ‘It’s okay, other places have been doing after-hours access.’” The police and fire teams even began talking about Open Plus to community members, giving the library free word-of-mouth advertising from a trusted source.

Of the renovation, Johansen says, “We needed to make it work for the community. We recognised our community needed those late nights. We didn’t have more money for additional staffing, so as part of the renovation we put in open+. We built it into the cost as we put the project together. Since we were completely redoing the entire building, we had the opportunity to put in open+ and make it work for us. We told the architects: this is what we’re doing. We need to make provisions to make this work, please build it into your plan.”

Being the first library in New Zealand to give its community after-hours access by using open+ has meant that Taylor and Johansen find themselves answering lots of questions from other libraries, which they cheerfully oblige.

“We have had I don’t know how many libraries from around New Zealand come through to ask us, ‘How did you get it across the line? What are you doing? Have you had any incidents?’” says Johansen. “And honestly, it’s, ‘No, there have been no incidents, this is how we use it, just do it.'”

At a recent workshop of approximately forty libraries using the same library management system, Taylor was offered a 5-minute spotlight at the end to talk about open+. Johansen says, “He was inundated with questions. And we’ve been a little bit nervous about singing our praises, but we really want to do a massive shout-out to say, ‘Hey, we’re the first in New Zealand to allow people to use the library unstaffed.'”

In the few months since instituting open+, hundreds of patrons have signed up to use it, and the library has seen significant use on Sundays, a day the library is closed.

“We’ve got people that just love Sundays, since they’re always busy throughout the week,” Johansen says. “Being able to visit the library on a Sunday, on their own time, without having to rush, is really great for them.”

Taylor echoes the sentiment. “We’re a rural community and some people come into town once a week because they live forty minutes or an hour away, even more for some folks. They don’t want to keep coming and going, so when they’re here, they want to get more things done.”

Whether a weekday or weekend, after-hours use is significant, and how patrons use the library during those times varies from one person to another.

“One night, when I was here after six,” Taylor shares, “I got chatting with a patron who is in just about every night; he parked himself in a space and was quite happy with it. Then, I turned around and saw someone leaving through the door; it was a patron coming in obviously after work and she grabbed her books and was gone. That’s what worked for her, while the other person was there for the night. Different use cases. We’re making the library available for people when they need it.”

Johansen agrees. “Basically, Open Plus gives the community access from 9:30am to 11pm, seven days a week. Now that we’re used to people being here when we’re not, we’ve had comments from the community that it would be amazing if we were open at six in the morning, on their way to work. Our goal in 2025 is to look at extending it at the other end, for those early risers.

When considering expanding Open Plus hours to early mornings, they have no qualms about setting it up. “The software is refreshingly easy to use,” Johansen says.

“I was going to say,” Taylor adds, “the software is pretty darn easy to use. The biggest part is just setting up all the initial systems and processes and agreements.”

Patrons continually share positive feedback about accessing the library after-hours, and two stories in particular stand out to Johansen and Taylor. One family has a young daughter who experiences cyclical sleep patterns during which she is frequently awake for 12-16 hours overnight. The child’s mother said that there aren’t many places that they can go to do things at those hours, but because of Open Plus at the library, she “…is absolutely loving having somewhere positive to go with her daughter.”

“Another one of the lovely stories that we got quite early on was a young person who apparently was really struggling with their course,” Taylor says. “They’re in uni and they were studying at home, but it didn’t work. It was quite a busy home environment, lots of people around. And they were able to come in here to study, and they jokingly said, ‘My marks improved so much, I swear my tutor’s going to think I’m cheating.'”

“Their grades have gone from here to here,” he says, gesturing with one arm low and the other high, “because they could come in here and just study for three, four, five hours straight. And that’s exactly the kind of thing that we envisioned open+ being used for.”

“Open Plus is working exactly as we’d hoped and intended,” Taylor continues. “It’s providing after-hours access and wider opportunities for people to come and use the space. It’s the community’s resource. They can use it literally whatever time they choose to use it, not just the times we staff it. People love the service we’re offering, and it certainly works here. They appreciate what we’re offering them and they are one-hundred percent respectful.”

As Open Plus hours are used more and more every day, he says. “It’s just growing in use over time as word spreads. It’s my running joke that, come Boxing Day, when the family is driving each other up the wall, I’m bringing them in for a tour of the library. Come Boxing Day, there will be people in.”

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]]> Library Experience: Patron Engagement & Service Trends | Bibliotheca nonadult Seamless Innovation: How Bibliotheca Transformed Library Services at the University of Manchester https://www.bibliotheca.com/en-gb/customer-library-university-of-manchester/ Tue, 12 Nov 2024 12:46:42 +0000 https://bibliostaged.wpengine.com/?p=83079
Seamless Innovation: How Bibliotheca Transformed Library Services at the University of Manchester
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Manchester university
May 15, 2025
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Challenge
The University of Manchester Libraries sought a solution to enhance both student engagement and the overall efficiency of their library services. With a focus on improving accessibility, the university needed a technology partner that could seamlessly integrate with their existing systems and support the library’s mission to provide a high-quality, student-centred service.
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Solution
Bibliotheca provided a range of products, including the Self-check 500, Self-check 1000, RFID gates, remoteLocker, and uniFi+. These solutions were implemented with the goal of creating a modern and efficient library experience for students, making it easier for them to access library resources, and increasing the library’s overall service capabilities.
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Result
Although the products were installed recently in Easter 2024, early signs point to a positive impact on library operations and student experience. The University anticipates that Bibliotheca’s technology will help them achieve their strategic goals in the coming months.
"Bibliotheca’s technology has integrated seamlessly into our library system. We have not experienced any issues with the technical integration, and the equipment has been extremely dependable," said Martin O’Dwyer, Digital Support Services Manager from the University of Manchester Libraries.
Martin O’Dwyer Digital Support Service Manager, Manchester university
“Our services are a key part of university life. Bibliotheca’s technology supports our mission by improving the student experience and helping us deliver best-in-sector services,” said Martin, who oversees the relationship between the University and Bibliotheca. "Their collaborative approach, flexibility, and understanding of our specific needs have been instrumental in the success of our recent improvement projects."
Martin O’Dwyer Digital Support Service Manager, Manchester university

Integration into Library Services 

Bibliotheca’s solutions have been seamlessly integrated into the University of Manchester’s library systems. The technical implementation went smoothly, and the equipment operates reliably without any significant issues. This has been vital to ensuring consistent and effective services for both library staff and users.

“Our customer journey has been greatly enhanced by the integration of Bibliotheca’s products, with no reported issues from staff or students,” remarked Natalie of the library’s customer service team.

Key Products Benefiting the University

The library has seen excellent value in the selfCheck 500, selfCheck 1000, RFID gates, remoteLocker, and uniFi+. Each of these products plays a crucial role in improving library accessibility and enhancing student experience.

Student and Staff Responses

While it is still early to assess the full impact of these products, initial responses from staff have been positive. The students, who primarily interacted with these technologies during the summer period, have not yet provided formal feedback, but the university anticipates further insights once the academic year progresses.

How Bibliotheca Supports the University’s Mission 

Bibliotheca’s technology aligns well with the University of Manchester’s mission to provide valued services, remarkable spaces, and creative solutions. The library is committed to improving the student experience, and Bibliotheca’s technology is viewed as a key partner in achieving these goals.

“We are always keen to innovate and think creatively about how we can improve our services,” said Martin O’Dwyer Digital Support Service Manager at the university. “Our partnership with Bibliotheca helps us meet the evolving needs of our students, ensuring that our services remain at the forefront of technological advancement and student satisfaction.”

Looking Forward

The University of Manchester views Bibliotheca not just as a technology provider but as a strategic partner. The university values the collaborative approach Bibliotheca takes in delivering projects, often involving teams from various departments, and appreciates their flexibility in meeting the unique challenges of the academic calendar and resource planning.

“Bibliotheca has been instrumental in helping us deliver on our goals,” Martin added. “Their understanding of our sector and our specific challenges has made a real difference in ensuring that projects are delivered on time, with minimal disruption to our services. We look forward to continuing our partnership with Bibliotheca as we innovate and grow.”

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Learn more about Bibliothecas Solutions used at Manchester University

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]]> In the Heart of the Amazon, a University Library Embraces Technology and Access https://www.bibliotheca.com/en-gb/customer-story-uea-parintins-library/ Thu, 30 Jun 2022 21:51:27 +0000 https://bibliostaged.wpengine.com/success-story-uea-parintins-library/

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In the Heart of the Amazon, a University Library Embraces Technology and Access
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LOGO sib UEA

Parintins is a unique place: an island, in the middle of the largest tropical forest in the world. It’s 20 hours by boat from Manaus and they’re able to export culture and receive technology.

The library of the  Amazonas State University – UEA – in Parintins, welcomed the future of library technology investing in a complete Bibliotheca solution when thinking about a safe reopening. This simplified the processes and allowed the team to focus on managerial activities, in addition to ensuring the security of the collection.

The Amazonas State University (UEA) is a public university, which began its academic activities on August 3, 2003.

Its mission is to promote education, build scientific knowledge and foster technological innovation to meet the local demands and integrate seamlessness with their Community in order to overcome the challenge of developing the Amazon sustainability.

Self-service technology was implemented in Manaus in 2017 and currently, all units in the capital already have an integrated anti-theft solution that allows access to shelves and students are now able to make loans independently. The expansion process to develop units for the rural Community  in the Amazonas began in December 2020.

“We are the first library in the North Region to implement this modernization project, which is why we are a reference in patron service. All of this was developed to provide freedom of research and knowledge creation. The premise for introducing projects in the SIB units was born from the imminent need to give freedom to the student”, points out the director of the SIB/UEA, Jeane Macelino.

Bibliotheca technology working in the middle of the biggest tropical forest on the planet just proves that the future has arrived and we can transform libraries today!

Check out the video of this success story below:

Amazonas State University Library / Parintins
Parintins is a unique place: an island, in the middle of the largest tropical forest in the world. It’s 20 hours by boat from Manaus and they’re able to export culture and receive technology.
Watch the Video
"Technology creates a welcoming environment for knowledge and makes the student stay longer in the library."
Jeane MacelinoSIB/UEA Director
"Library self-service is the democratization of teaching, access to collections, and the modernization of our libraries and educational environment."
Cleinaldo CostaUEA Rector

About Bibliotheca

Bibliotheca is dedicated to the development of innovative technologies and library management solutions that help sustain and grow libraries around the world. Bibliotheca reimagines how libraries function, using integrated technology to inspire and delight all kinds of people, wherever they are: at home, on the move, or within the library walls.

Bibliotheca employs 400 people across 21 countries, partnering with 30,000 libraries to make the library experience—physical and digital—seamless, intuitive and inclusive.

For more information on this release, please contact
press@bibliotheca.com.

 
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Academic Accessibility: remoteLocker and cloudCheck tablet in Lindell Library at Augsburg University
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Academic Accessibility: remoteLocker and cloudCheck tablet in Lindell Library at Augsburg University

Augsburg University’s Lindell Library reimagines access with self-service technology, empowering students through flexibility and inclusion.
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]]> At an Indonesian University, Automation Frees Librarians to Focus on Research and Students https://www.bibliotheca.com/en-gb/customer-story-universitas-negeri-semarang-unnes/ Fri, 10 Jun 2022 15:37:28 +0000 https://bibliostaged.wpengine.com/universitas-negeri-semarang-unnes-library/
At an Indonesian University, Automation Frees Librarians to Focus on Research and Students
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unnes library
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Challenge
Universitas Negeri Semarang (UNNES) Library, originally built as a simple library, needed to expand library service and upgrade library systems to meet modern demands.
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Solution
Bibliotheca provided selfCheck 1000, RFID gate, workstations, and flexAMH system to help library improve circulation and the library experience.
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Result
The new hardware and software solutions have freed the University’s librarians from tedious back-office work. They now have more time to do research and focus on the needs of students and faculty.

Rumah Ilmu Library, is the central academic library at UNNES in Indonesia. The library serves 56,552 users and fulfills the information and research needs of students, lecturers, and faculty with a collection of nearly 129,000 titles.

UNNES was seeking to modernize the University’s library service. They chose Bibliotheca as a library technology partner to assist with their library development because Bibliotheca’s high-quality solutions are easy to use and meet the demands of a modern academic library.

To provide a better experience for staff and visitors alike, UNNES installed Bibliotheca’s selfCheck 1000, RFID gates, workstations, and most recently, a flexAMH system. The library was very pleased with Bibliotheca’s sales and service team. The team clearly explained the products and logistics, and provided fantastic support during and after installation, responding quickly to requests.

Universitas Negeri Semarang (UNNES) is a high-demand library. The new automated materials handler (flexAMH) will allow the library to process returns 24 hours a day in order to better meet the needs of its users. The flexAMH is the first step in the library’s plan to implement a 24-hour book return and extension service. The library’s plans also include marketing efforts for e-journal access. At this time, the e-journal subscription is not well utilized because many would-be users do not know how to access it. The self-service and automated returns free up librarian time to work on this project.

Bibliotheca’s RFID solutions have modernized UNNES’s lending and returning processes and freed staff from tedious backroom work. Library staff now have 50% more time to work on other more valuable services such as plagiarism checks, help with scientific papers, and library-related research.

UNNES Featured Customer story
Learn how UPT Perpustakaan Pusat Universitas Negeri Semarang (UNNES), in Indonesia, are using new solutions to improve library management and patrons' experience.
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]]> Simplify + Streamline Delivery Model https://www.bibliotheca.com/en-gb/simplify-streamline-delivery-model/ Tue, 16 Mar 2021 12:36:55 +0000 http://bibliotheca.wpengine.com/simplify-streamline-delivery-model/

Simplify + Streamline Delivery Model

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Evolve Library Delivery Models to Improve Service Post-Pandemic

As Covid-19 forced global lockdowns and demanded closures of stores, restaurants and public places, libraries pivoted quickly to find new ways to serve their communities. Borrowing a model from retail and restaurants, many libraries began offering roadside pick-up of reserved physical materials, craft kits and even curated binge-boxes of movies to keep people entertained while at home. The service was a hit.

Over the past several months, Bibliotheca has hosted candid conversations with more than 50 libraries across the globe about how Covid-19 has affected their service and communities. Almost without exception, these libraries report that roadside pick-up has been a surprising success, and one that their library members want to see continued even after the pandemic is behind us.

But the truth is, this service model is labour-intensive for staff. Taking phone calls for reservations, collecting materials, checking them out and delivering them to waiting library members can easily take ten minutes per customer. With many libraries facing looming budget cuts in the wake of the pandemic, hiring additional staff to continue the roadside service even as libraries reopen is impractical if not impossible.

Unlike other reservation software, Bibliotheca’s roadside pick-up solution, open+ Collect, not only encourages library users to place holds directly from their smartphone or computer, but also offers users a choice between picking up their items from a staff member during a prearranged time or having them delivered to a holds pick-up locker where they can be picked up at their convenience. Offering pick-up through the pick-up lockers, like Bibliotheca’s remoteLocker, allows library staff to fill many orders at once, saving considerable time and effort.

remoteLockers can be placed anywhere in the community, including grocery stores, community centres or gyms. Additionally, libraries can use open+ access to create a 24/7 pick-up option within a library vestibule, offering ultimate convenience and providing equitable access to library materials for all kinds of users. Furthermore, the materials are not checked out to user’s accounts until they are actually removed from the locker, preventing items from appearing on member’s accounts while they are still waiting for a library hold shelf.

Bibliotheca’s open+ Collect solution allows busy library patrons to select when and how they’d like to retrieve their materials. Borrowers are notified when their items are ready for pick-up. The software integrates fully with your ILS. From the staff point of view, integration with the library ILS is key to ensure smooth implementation and minimal transaction time.

Better service with less hassle. Offer your library members convenient roadside service while reducing workload for staff.

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]]> Equitable Access + Library Safety https://www.bibliotheca.com/en-gb/equitable-access-library-safety/ Tue, 16 Mar 2021 12:36:43 +0000 http://bibliotheca.wpengine.com/equitable-access-library-safety/

Equitable Access + Library Safety

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As one of the only free, public resources, libraries exist to serve their communities by offering extensive physical and digital collections, educational programming, public PCs, Internet access, and hospitable gathering spaces. However, due to budget and staffing constraints, many libraries find themselves able to provide these services to only a fraction of their community – those whose schedules allow them to visit the library during what are often limited opening hours.

By prioritising equitable access, Bibliotheca solutions allow libraries to serve more people. Libraries can reach community members who would otherwise have little to no access to critical library resources while simultaneously offering stellar in-library communication and relevant data that provides guidance for future library decisions.

At the very core of providing access for all lies a comprehensive technological solution that allows libraries to offer extended unstaffed morning or evening hours. open+ access allows libraries to meet the needs of shift workers, students and others that cannot visit the library during traditionally staffed times. Additionally, libraries can offer visitors an easy way to book library time, spaces or services during staffed or unstaffed hours using an add-on feature called open+ reserve.

To help libraries who need to comply with social distancing requirements, the Bibliotheca ecosystem introduces open+ count to anonymously count people throughout the library. open+ count can communicate with transformativeLibrary digital displays to broadcast real-time library occupancy. Beyond occupancy awareness, libraries can make data-driven decisions about future library use by analysing insights about library traffic patterns and space usage.

While providing more equitable access to library members, it is important to ensure patron safety by providing relevant and instructive information to those in the library. With transformativeLibrary, Bibliotheca helps libraries cast meaningful content to digital displays throughout the building as well as to idle selfCheck and Public PC screens. This access and communication technology ecosystem extends your reach and ensures your staff are communicating as effectively as possible, with minimal effort, even when they are not present in the library.

Emerging from the pandemic, libraries will need to serve more people, meet new challenges, and exceed the expectations of modern library visitors to remain relevant within their communities. Partnering with Bibliotheca provides you with a technology platform that can revolutionise library experiences today, while future-proofing spaces, services and collections for years to come.

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