News

Libraries benefit from self-checkout, RFID

November 26, 2006

Your Hub: A new RFID-based self-checkout system at Denver's Douglas County Libraries allows several books to be checked out simultaneously, freeing up current staff for more personalized and attentive customer service. RFID is a money-saving measure, allowing the district to meet rising patron demand, without spending additional money on new staff. Most libraries around the country aim for an 80 percent check-out rate on self-service transactions. Since June, Douglas County Libraries has surpassed that standard, with an average of 90 percent of all check-outs occurring on self-service machines.

In 2005, the library district established a circulation benchmark, maintaining that one full-time circulation staff person can check out around 46,000 items each year. With the RFID self-service technology fully in place, one circulation staff member will be able to assist with approximately 59,700 checkouts annually.

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