Information on Loughborough

Self Service at Blaby Library

Posted on 13/11/2009

Leicestershire Councty Council Community Services

12 November 2009

Self Service at Blaby Library

Self-service machines are being launched at Blaby library on Monday 7th December, to allow people to borrow and return books, CDs and DVDs quickly and easily.

In order for the machines to be installed, Blaby library will be closed the week beginning Monday 30th November. So there will be no Wriggly Readers on Thursday 3rd or Saturday 5th of December.

Ernie White, Cabinet member for libraries, said: “The self-service machines will make the service quicker and easier for users and enable staff to help people around the library, instead of being confined to a desk.

“I know some people don’t like using self-service checkouts in supermarkets, but the library machines are much simpler – you can scan all your books at the same time, simply by putting them on the machine. And you can still get help from a member of staff if you wish.”

Features at Blaby library include:

  • Self-service machines, which allow people to borrow and return books, CDs and DVDs, quickly and easily
  • An extensive range of books, DVDs and music CDs and newspapers
  • Comfortable seating, with special areas for children and for teenagers
  • Free use of computers and internet access

Regular activities include:

  • Wriggly Readers on the first Thursday of the month and alternate Saturdays
  • Children/family activities in the holidays

Media opportunity:

Any member of the press interested in attending can contact the press office on 0116 305 7046. You are welcome to try out the new library machines.

Background:

Self-service machines enable people to:

  • Borrow and return books, CDs and DVDs
  • Pay for any transactions, such as DVD hire fees and fines
  • Carry out their business whenever the library is open, instead of when a member of staff is available

Key facts about self-service:

  • A total of 28 machines will be installed at Leicestershire’s seven major libraries and nine shopping centre libraries, between now and March 2010
  • Library service desks will be replaced by a smaller help desk, where staff provide assistance
  • Other staff will “walk the floor” and help visitors to choose books or answer queries
  • Removing the main desks will free up more space for displays or browsing areas
  • The move will save around £350,000 – a total of 19 library posts, out of more than 400, will go through staff turnover
  • Libraries due to receive the machines are (insert dates): Earl Shilton; Coalville; Lutterworth; Loughborough; Ashby; Blaby; Birstall; Hinckley; Glenfield; Broughton; Shepshed; Melton; Wigston; Syston; Oadby; Harborough.

This press release relates to Blaby and Glen Parva electoral division.

Background notes

Libraries across Leicestershire are seeing an increase in visitors as the UK finds itself in a recession. Traditionally, people turn to public libraries during hard economic times - for cheaper entertainment, to help with employment, for free access to computers and to help them save money and be ‘greener’ by borrowing free books rather than buying.

Leicestershire Libraries have seen vast improvements recently as part of the £8 million transformation programme and staff are inviting the public to step into their local library to discover all the up to date services and facilities available for no or little cost.

Visitors will be supported by libraries over the coming months in their health, wellbeing, career prospects, lifestyle and general enjoyment by:

  • · Stepping up to savings and improving finances – a free internet service where all the consumer price comparison and information websites are available, there are free books to borrow and you can have a cheap night in with a DVD that you can keep for a week
  • · Stepping Up to success and improving job prospects – with free newspapers, free internet facilities and a large choice of titles for all sorts of learning and development
  • · Stepping Out - alone or with friends and family to free events
  • · Stepping Into the library’s welcoming surroundings where you can read all the latest best sellers for free and get up to date DVDs and audiobooks.
  • · Stepping Up to a challenge - train your brain with crosswords, Sudoku and general knowledge quizzes.

Details of library developments can be found on www.leics.gov.uk/libraries

Details of events can be found on www.leics.gov.uk/events

Facts and figures about Leicestershire Libraries for 2008 – 2009

  • · 55 libraries
  • · 92,378 hours open
  • · 3,853,867 visitors
  • · 6 Mobile libraries
  • · 412 PCs
  • · 22,205 DVDs to rent
  • · 728,628 books to borrow