GoLibrary is an automatic, fully functional lending machine that makes a library’s physical collections available to people 24/7 in almost any location. Typical installation sites are shopping malls, commuter stations, schools, public buildings, hospitals, and residential areas.
The machine connects to a library’s ILS and will check out and check in materials to library card holders. GoLibrary, also known as Bokomaten in Sweden where it was invented in 2004 by Distribution Technologies (Distec), is manufactured in Italy. There are machines in use throughout Scandinavia and now, the first units are available in the United States.
How Do They Work?
The patron is identified by their library card and browses through the selection of books, movies, or music and receives the selected title directly from the machine along with a receipt. Returning an item is equally simple. The patron is identified by their library card and returns the item to the machine, making it instantly available for the next user. All loan activities are monitored through the library’s IT system for full control and follow up. GoLibrary offers full safety and control of loans through the use of RFID tags and data connection.
Where Can I See These Machines in Action?
Two California libraries-the Contra Costa County Library and Yuba County Library-have become the first U.S. libraries to launch the public lending machines that will make collections available to people at the Pittsburg BART station, a Discovery Bay shopping center, and at the Wheatland Community Center .
Distec has designated Califa as the purchasing agent for acquiring the equipment in California.
GoLibrary is an automatic, fully functional lending machine that makes a library’s physical collections available to people 24/7 in almost any location. Typical installation sites are shopping malls, commuter stations, schools, public buildings, hospitals, and residential areas.