Self-booking

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The self checkout or self Loan referred to in a library a loan of media by the user without the assistance of a librarian . In contrast to this, in conventional lending, the user brings the media to the lending desk of a library, where a library employee books them to the user account.

Technical possibilities

Self-checkout machine Smartserve 1070 from the company bibliotheca in the Rostock University Library

There are the following options for self-posting:

  • By means of a self-checkout machine: These are stationary systems that are usually around 2 meters wide and around 1 meter high and deep. The user first identifies himself to the system, usually with a user ID . Then he pulls the barcodes of the books over the glass surface provided or holds them in front of the reader (similar to a supermarket checkout ). The system then posts the medium to the user's account in the database .
  • Using web-based software : This software is usually integrated into the surface of the library's OPAC . Here, too, the user identifies himself to the system, for example with his user ID . It is also often necessary to enter a password . Then he feeds the barcode of the medium into the system with a barcode reader, whereupon it is posted to his account.
  • Using RFID technology: Instead of a barcode, each medium is equipped with a small chip called a transponder . The medium only has to be held in front of an antenna so that the system can identify it.

Comparison of the possibilities

The self-booking is mainly used to relieve the library staff and thus ultimately to save personnel costs. Borrowing the media normally takes a considerable amount of time, which can then be used for other purposes. The use of barcodes and reading devices is significantly more cost-effective compared to RFID technology. While the pure material costs for the barcodes are relatively cheap at an average of EUR 0.10 per piece, the RFID transponders are considerably more expensive at EUR 1 per piece on average. The peripheral devices are also more expensive here. However, the handling of the stationary self-booking systems takes a lot of getting used to, as the barcode of the book has to be moved in a certain direction at a certain speed. The fault tolerance of the hardware is rather low.

So far, self-booking can only be profitable in larger libraries. In large public libraries , the variant with stationary systems has so far been the most common.