News

Australian libraries uses wireless kiosks

July 14, 2003

SYDNEY, Australia -- Residents of Baulkham Hills Shire Council can borrow items from four local libraries without assistance by scanning the items and their library cards at multipurpose kiosks.

Borrowers insert their library cards into the freestanding kiosks, press a borrow button on the kiosk touchscreen and pile their items on the kiosk scanning area, according to an article in PC World.

The scanner transmits data from the library management system over a wireless connection to the antennae of each item. Microchips in the items send data back to the scanner to complete the process.

To return their items, borrowers place their items in a short metal chute built on the outside wall of the library for the same scanner-chip process. Once scanned, a hatch at the end of the chute releases to let items slide into the library.

Murray Lawter, systems technology team leader at the council, said the six-month-long project went live on June 16. He estimated that 70 percent of the project's $1.5 million cost was the tagging of library items.

The library system is only one part of a larger e-commerce strategy, the article said. Eventually, people will be able to pay municipal bills via kiosks, as well.