As part of Transforming Government, the Calgary Public Library has installed automated materials check out equipment and smart return chutes. Today, customers can check out their own materials in the 10 largest library locations which allows them complete privacy and convenience. For example, at Saddletowne, CPL’s newest branch, over 95% of items are borrowed using self-service.These innovative new returns processes are designed with the library customer at top of mind: account information is updated in real time so there’s no chance for late fees to be applied when materials are returned on or before their due date; equipment operates 24/7, so materials are immediately ready for re-shelving or delivery to another location, significantly reducing wait times for popular materials. Returned items, especially high-demand items, are available for re-shelving, and thus for borrowing, much more quickly.
Over the next three years, smart chutes and sorting equipment will be added to more library branches as they are refurbished, and, of course, they will be part of Calgary’s new Central Library.
