[Publib] Re: self check

[Andy Barnett]

Mileage definitely varies, depending upon what you are trying to accomplish 
and how committed you are.

Express checks try to allow those who want it the option of using 
self-check. This usually involves retaining your existing circ setup and 
adding self checks. There is a clear upper limit on what can be 
accomplished with this model, but it is a great step.

Going for mostly self check involves changing your desks, staff training, 
policies, self-pickup and more. We do between 75-80% self-check and another 
5-9%+ in self-renewal (over 85% total in recent months), with another 5% 
being done behind the scenes (book boxes, outreach, staff checkouts at 
their desks). The flip side (and more important side to my mind) of those 
numbers is that our staff handles about 10% of our circ at a desk. 
Renewals, fines, registrations keep them busy, but busy with people who 
need staff attention, not those who don't. We also staff our self-check 
(like many retail outlets do), so that staff is always available to assist.

It is possible to get higher, but... you have to forbid checkouts without 
cards, make provision for family members picking up books, hiding your 
staff away, automating fine payment and other patron restrictions, which we 
don't want to pursue. Perfect self-check is very efficient, but not 
necessarily quality service.





Andy Barnett, Asst. Director            McMillan Memorial Library
490 East Grand Ave. Wisconsin Rapids, WI  54494
                 www.mcmillanlibrary.org
Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that 
matter.  -  Martin Luther King, Jr.