Borrowing more convenient when Tweed library reopens
23 August 2017
Library staff preparing for self-serve checkout system
Borrowing books and other resources from Tweed Heads Library will be quicker and more convenient for users when the upgraded library reopens to the public.
A new self-checkout system has been installed as part of the library’s $2.9 million expansion to create a bigger, more versatile and user-friendly community facility.
Richmond Tweed Regional Library (RTRL) staff this week received training to familiarise them with the Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) system, as the building upgrade nears completion and final preparations for the self-serve checkout are put in place.
Staff have now begun putting RFID tags on the RTRL’s entire collection of books and other resources.
“There are nearly 100,000 items to be tagged for the new system, which will be available first to users at the Tweed area libraries and then progressively rolled out to each of the RTRL facilities,” Tweed Area Librarian Selina Ryan said.
“It’s a huge task to have all these items ready to go in time for the Tweed Library’s reopening but it will be a welcome addition for users.
“This technology will dramatically enhance our service to the public and will allow up to 15 items to be issued at the same time.”
The contractors have finished building and sealing the library’s internal walls and have installed the fixed furniture.
Once construction works are completed, it will then take a few weeks to install shelving and return the collection from the library’s temporary sites, so the improved facility can re-open in December.
Since January, the Tweed Library has been operating out of two temporary sites at the Tweed Heads Civic and Cultural Centre, with its children’s activities and borrowing services operating out of Council’s Community Centre at Tweed Heads South.
The upgrade is increasing the library’s floor space from 619 square metres to 1054 square metres and will allow greater flexibility in how the building is used, including new areas to accommodate programs and user groups.
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Caption: Tech Support Officer Devan Murray (left), from FE Technologies, shows Richmond Tweed Regional Library Branch Technician Larry Price how to use the Radio Frequency (RFID) system.