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San Diego installs self-checkout kiosks in 36 library branches

August 16, 2017

San Diego has installed self-checkout kiosks across its 36-branch library system, according to The San Diego Union-Tribune.

The city has added credit card payment to the units to allow payment of overdue fines.

The $1.6 million project is designed to eliminate long lines, free workers up for other tasks and improve inventory management.

Usage rates at the branches have averaged more than 80 percent, according to officials. Patrons can still check out items in the traditional way with a library worker.

The kiosks enable patrons to get a list of other recommended books or videos based on what they’ve already checked out.

The technology installation, which lasted December to July, also provided enhanced security gates at several branches. Staffers also tagged around 2.6 million library materials with radio frequency identification microchips, replacing bar codes, to track items.