The Rice Thresher

Location: http://the.ricethresher.org/news/2007/12/07/fondren_self_checkout

December 7, 2007 > News > Fondren Library purchases two self-checkout machines

Fondren Library purchases two self-checkout machines

By Sarah Rutledge | Thresher Editorial Staff

Some students say that Fondren Library’s first floor looks like an airport, but with the addition of two self-checkout stations starting Wednesday, it may look more like a supermarket. The self-checkout machines, located on the east entrance, will be available for students, faculty and staff with a valid Rice ID card and PIN.

Assistant University Librarian for Information Technologies Diane Butler said the library decided to add self-checkout to accommodate students. Since the circulation desk is on the west side of the library, students can save time by checking out their books themselves.

But the machines do not mean the circulation desk will have nothing to do. Reduces in checking out books comes at a time when the desk has increasing amounts of work. More professors have started putting course materials online, as with Owlspace, and this evolution of technology has led to increased pressure on the circulation desk to provide technological services, Butler said. The circulation desk also keeps materials placed on hold, stores the video and audio recording collection and works with professors to pull selected chapters from books they need for their courses.

“Anything that doesn’t require a lot to do, like scanning a book, takes a lot off of [the circulation desk] that allows them to do more technological stuff,” Butler said.

The library tried the self-checkout process in 1997, but Butler said it was not received favorably. She said the station was antiquated and inconveniently located. Butler said the new self-checkout stations should enjoy more success due to better technology and their new location by the east entrance.

Installing self-checkout machines in the library is part of a long-term plan to make the library more accessible to students, along with the recent revamping of Fondren’s Web site, Butler said. Since most libraries in Houston have instituted self-checkout machines, Butler said this is also part of Rice’s effort to catch up with technology.

If the self-checkout stations are well received, Butler said the library staff will look into purchasing more in the future.

“They just started working today,” Denton said. “We’ve had them for awhile, and we got all the tweaks out. We’re just waiting for students to use them and like them.”

Brown College freshman Meghan Erkel said she thinks the self-checkout machines are a good idea, as long as they are user-friendly.

“If it’s too complicated, then it won’t save me any time,” Erkel said.

Will Rice freshman Kate Edwards said she has doubts about the need for the machines.

“I feel like it’s not a big deal to walk all the way over to the circulation desk,” Edwards said. “It’s right there. It’s convenient.”

Circulation Assistant Suellen Denton said since the self-checkout stations will require both students’ ID cards and their library PINs, this will make it more secure. She said students will not be able to use others’ ID cards to check out library materials.

End of article

Back to top