Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall flicks through a book with Glen Innes Severn Council’s Director of Community Services Anna Watt, left, Mayor Steve Toms and Library Manager Kerry Byrne.
Tuesday, 11 April 2017
LIBRARIANS and booklovers in Glen Innes will soon be able to keep track of their borrowed items a little easier – with a brand new electronic loaning and security system being installed in the local library
Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall visited Glen Innes Library and Learning Centre with Mayor Steve Toms last week to announce a $63,734 grant from the NSW Government for the new Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) system, which will enable library users to rent their own books and will also provide additional protection against theft and loss.
“The RFID system will automatically return books as they enter the drop-off chute, and entire shelves can be scanned in moments,” Mr Marshall said.
“This technology is similar to that used in ‘tap and go’ credit cards and modern public transport tickets.
Mr Marshall said the new system would greatly improve the efficiency of the library.
“Librarians will be able to cut down on a lot of the mundane tasks that fill up their day – freeing them up to focus on valuable tasks like recommending books to members, or teaching seniors computer skills,” he said.
“Libraries do far more than just lend books. They’re hubs of knowledge and through its collaboration with TAFE NSW and University of New England, the Glen Innes Library and Learning Centre is an important community asset for people of all ages.
“As times change, so must libraries – and this grant will ensure Glen Innes Learning Centre is able to keep up to date with the demands of the community.”
Glen Innes Learning Centre Manager Kerry Byrne said the new technology would give library users an improved experience.
“A member can beat the queue and log their own resources in and out, which will give them privacy on their selection as well,” Mrs Byrne said.
“Staff can free themselves up from a lot of the manual handling, like returning selection. This system can check an entire shelf, which will tell us if a book is missing within that stack, then we can reshelve it or find it very quickly”