Self-service at Oadby library

Self-service machines are being launched at Oadby library on Tuesday 16 March, to allow people to borrow and return books, CDs and DVDs quickly and easily.

David Sprayson, Cabinet member for libraries, said: “The self-service machines will make the service quicker and easier for users and enable staff to help people around the library, instead of being confined to a desk.

“I know some people don’t like using self-service checkouts in supermarkets, but the library machines are much simpler – you can scan all your books at the same time, simply by putting them on the machine. And you can still get help from a member of staff if you wish.”

Features at Oadby library include:

• Self-service machines, which allow people to borrow and return books, CDs and DVDs, quickly and easily
• An extensive range of books, DVDs and music CDs and newspapers and magazines
• Comfortable seating, with special areas for children and for teenagers
• Free use of computers and internet access
• Special sessions for teenagers and young children
• Book groups for adults and children
• Talks by local authors and speakers

http://www.leics.gov.uk/oadby_library

Self-service at Melton Library

Self-service machines are being launched at Melton Mowbray Library on Tuesday 9 February, to allow people to borrow and return books, CDs and DVDs quickly and easily.

 Ernie White, Cabinet member for libraries, said: “The self-service machines will make the service quicker and easier for users and enable staff to help people around the library, instead of being confined to a desk.

 “I know some people don’t like using self-service checkouts in supermarkets, but the library machines are much simpler – you can scan all your books at the same time, simply by putting them on the machine. And you can still get help from a member of staff if you wish.”

 Features at Melton Mowbray library include:

• An extensive range of books, DVDs and music CDs and newspapers
• Comfortable seating, with special areas for children and for teenagers
• Free use of computers and internet access

 Regular activities include:

• Twice weekly Wriggly Reader sessions for under 5s
• Monthly family history surgery
• Readers and writers group 

 Melton Mowbray library will be closed Monday 1 February until Tuesday 9 February while the self-service kiosks are installed

http://www.leics.gov.uk/meltonmowbray_library

Self-service at Syston Library

Self-service machines are being launched at Syston Library on 8 March 2010 to enable people to borrow and return books, CDs and DVDs quickly and easily.

To allow for installation of these exciting new additions Syston Library will be closed from Monday 1 March for seven days until it reopens with the new self service kiosk and a new library layout on Monday 8 March.

Ernie White, Cabinet member for libraries, said: “The self-service machines will make the service quicker and easier for users and enable staff to help people around the library, instead of being confined to a desk.
“I know some people don’t like using self-service checkouts in supermarkets, but the library machines are much simpler – you can scan all your books at the same time, simply by putting them on the machine. And you can still get help from a member of staff if you wish.”

Features at Syston Library include:

* Self-service machines, which allow people to borrow and return books, CDs and DVDs, quickly and easily
* An extensive range of books, DVDs and music CDs and newspapers
* Comfortable seating, with special areas for children
* Free use of computers and internet access

Regular activities include:

* Wriggly Reader sessions for families and young children
* Chatter books reading groups for children
* Reading groups for adults

Background:

Self-service machines enable people to:

* Borrow and return books, CDs and DVDs
* Pay for any transactions, such as DVD hire fees and fines
* Carry out their business whenever the library is open, instead of when a member of staff is available

Key facts about self-service:

* A total of 28 machines will be installed at Leicestershire’s seven major libraries and nine shopping centre libraries, between now and March 2010
* Library service desks will be replaced by a smaller help desk, where staff provide assistance
* Other staff will “walk the floor” and help visitors to choose books or answer queries
* Removing the main desks will free up more space for displays or browsing areas
* The move will save around £350,000 – a total of 19 library posts, out of more than 400, will go through staff turnover
* The 16 libraries receiving self service kiosks are Earl Shilton; Coalville; Lutterworth; Loughborough; Ashby; Blaby; Birstall; Hinckley; Glenfield; Broughton; Shepshed; Melton; Wigston; Syston; Oadby; Harborough.

Self-service kiosks at Hinckley Library

Self-service machines are being launched at Hinckley library on Monday 21^st December to allow people to borrow and return books, CDs and DVDs quickly and easily. To allow for the installation of these exciting new additions, the library will be closed from 14^th – 19^th December inclusive.

Features at Hinckley library include:

• Self-service machines, which allow people to borrow and return books, CDs and DVDs, quickly and easily
• An extensive range of books, DVDs, music CDs and newspapers
• Comfortable seating, with special areas for children and for teenagers
• Free use of computers and internet access

Regular activities include:

• Special events for families and children
• Weekly ‘Wriggly Reader’ story-time sessions for 0-4 year olds and their parent/carers

http://www.leics.gov.uk/hinckley_library

Self Service at Birstall Library

Self-service machines are being launched at Birstall library on Monday, 14th December, to allow people to borrow and return books, CDs and DVDs quickly and easily.

Therefore, Birstall will remain closed from week beginning 7th December to make the relevant changes.

Features at Birstall library include:

• Self-service machines, which allow people to borrow and return books, CDs and DVDs, quickly and easily
• An extensive range of books, DVDs and music CDs and newspapers and magazines
• Comfortable seating, with special areas for children and for teenagers
• Free use of computers and internet access

Regular activities will resume as normal on the 14th.

Earl Shilton Library first to launch self service

A self-service system is being launched at major Leicestershire libraries, to speed-up transactions and release more staff to help users.

The easy-to-use kiosks will be installed at 16 libraries, with Earl Shilton being the first to be installed in October and which will be officially launched by Roger Wilson, Chairman of Leicestershire County Council on Thursday 3rd December at 10am.

Ernie White, Cabinet Member for Libraries, said: “This is all about making the service quicker and easier for users and enabling staff to help people around the library, instead of being confined to a desk.
“I know some people don’t like using self-service checkouts in supermarkets, but the library kiosks are much simpler – you can scan all your books at the same time, simply by putting them on the kiosk
“Several other councils, including Northamptonshire and Norfolk, already use self service and public feedback has been very positive.”

The machines enable people to:

• Borrow and return books, CDs and DVDs
• Pay for any transactions, such as DVD hire fees and fines
• Carry out their business whenever the library is open, instead of when a member of staff is available

A total of 28 kiosks will be installed at Leicestershire’s seven major libraries and nine shopping centre libraries, between now and March 2010.

Library service desks will be replaced by a smaller help desk, where staff provide assistance. Other staff will be able to “walk the floor” and help visitors to choose books or answer queries. Removing the main desks will also free up more space for displays or browsing areas.

The move will save around £350,000. A total of 19 library posts, out of more than 400, will go through staff turnover.

Background notes:

Libraries due to receive the machines, between October this year and March next year, are: Earl Shilton; Coalville; Lutterworth; Loughborough; Ashby; Blaby; Birstall; Hinckley; Glenfield; Broughton; Shepshed; Melton; Wigston; Syston; Oadby; Harborough.

Libraries across Leicestershire are seeing an increase in visitors as the UK finds itself in a recession. Traditionally, people turn to public libraries during hard economic times – for cheaper entertainment, to help with employment, for free access to computers and to help them save money and be ‘greener’ by borrowing free books rather than buying.
Leicestershire Libraries have seen vast improvements recently as part of the £8 million transformation programme and staff are inviting the public to step into their local library to discover all the up to date services and facilities available for no or little cost.

Visitors will be supported by libraries over the coming months in their health, wellbeing, career prospects, lifestyle and general enjoyment.

www.leics.gov.uk/Libraries

Self Service at Blaby Library

Self-service machines are being launched at Blaby library on Monday 7^th December, to allow people to borrow and return books, CDs and DVDs quickly and easily.

In order for the machines to be installed, Blaby library will be closed the week beginning Monday 30^th November. So there will be no Wriggly Readers on Thursday 3^rd or Saturday 5^th of December.

Ernie White, Cabinet member for libraries, said: “The self-service machines will make the service quicker and easier for users and enable staff to help people around the library, instead of being confined to a desk.

“I know some people don’t like using self-service checkouts in supermarkets, but the library machines are much simpler – you can scan all your books at the same time, simply by putting them on the machine. And you can still get help from a member of staff if you wish.”

Features at Blaby library include:

• Self-service machines, which allow people to borrow and return books, CDs and DVDs, quickly and easily
• An extensive range of books, DVDs and music CDs and newspapers
• Comfortable seating, with special areas for children and for teenagers
• Free use of computers and internet access

Regular activities include:

• Wriggly Readers on the first Thursday of the month and alternate Saturdays
• Children/family activities in the holidays

 

Background:

Self-service machines enable people to:

• Borrow and return books, CDs and DVDs
• Pay for any transactions, such as DVD hire fees and fines
• Carry out their business whenever the library is open, instead of when a member of staff is available

Key facts about self-service:

• A total of 28 machines will be installed at Leicestershire’s seven major libraries and nine shopping centre libraries, between now and March 2010
• Library service desks will be replaced by a smaller help desk, where staff provide assistance
• Other staff will “walk the floor” and help visitors to choose books or answer queries
• Removing the main desks will free up more space for displays or browsing areas
• The move will save around £350,000 – a total of 19 library posts, out of more than 400, will go through staff turnover
• Libraries due to receive the machines are (insert dates): Earl Shilton; Coalville; Lutterworth; Loughborough; Ashby; Blaby; Birstall; Hinckley; Glenfield; Broughton; Shepshed; Melton; Wigston; Syston; Oadby; Harborough.