guineaus ([info]guineaus) wrote in [info]libraries,
@ 2008-02-27 14:01:00
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Self Check out Stations
Hi all,
I'm in a public library and we are going to be getting a self-check out station. For those of you who have self-check out what do you use for scanners? Thanks in advance!

*cross-posted*

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[info]barking_watcher
2008-02-27 10:03 pm UTC (link)
The borrower's card is read by a barcode scanner, while the books and other stock items have RFID tags.

There have been problems of items getting onto the wrong account.

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[info]nashiitashii
2008-02-28 02:51 am UTC (link)
We do the barcode scanner for ID, RFID pad for the items. It hasn't been an issue as of yet, but we haven't had the system up and working for that long. We do, however, have it set up so that people can't type in the card number or override the system at all; it seems to help eliminate some of the "wrong account" issues.

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[info]barking_watcher
2008-02-28 11:19 am UTC (link)
I think our problems come from over sensitive tags/pads. We use a system called Staff Issue for the RFID and TALIS for borrower records.

What system do you use

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[info]nashiitashii
2008-02-28 04:29 pm UTC (link)
I think we use CheckPoint for the RFID and we use WorkFlows for borrower records. The stuff still has its own unique issues, but we've got a separate program (that I'm not familiar with) for self checkout.

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[info]riofriotex
2008-02-27 10:44 pm UTC (link)
There are also versions of self-checkout stations that work with barcodes on both the borrower's card and the scanner, and that desensitize "tattle-tape" (I think).

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[info]jaiwest
2008-02-28 12:15 am UTC (link)
We've got FlashScan stations; the patron scans their own card and all the item barcodes. Half the time they try to scan the isbn/sales barcode. We don't have any security system (too costly) so if the patron misses an item, it walks. Our lost/missing/trace lists have increased tenfold.

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[info]guineaus
2008-02-28 05:23 pm UTC (link)
Where are your self check stations located? We want to keep them in sight of the circulation desk to avoid theft.

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[info]jaiwest
2008-02-28 07:43 pm UTC (link)
One's within view of the circ desk, the other (and much more heavily used) is in the children's room.

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[info]cpt_fantastic
2008-02-29 06:13 pm UTC (link)
Ours are all-in-one monitor/scanner combinations by Libramation (and connected to an ordinary PC running the Libramation software). The monitor has a slot into which the patron puts their card, which activates the system and the barcode scanner built into the bottom of the monitor. The monitors are touch screens, and one is set up so that patrons can manually enter their card numbers. The due date slip is printed when the card is removed by a receipt printer built into the bottom of the cabinet. We don't use RFID in our system.

The main issues that come up with these are that there is a barcode inside the card slot for calibration purposes that can wear out over time. Sometimes the computer ignores input from the Libramation system, but this can be fixed by poking the touchscreen.

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