Belgrave Library re-opens tomorrow

Belgrave Library re-opens tomorrow at 10am after a small renovation of the desk and the addition of RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) gates and two self check units. It looks great.

Staff will be introducing members to the Self Check units and showing how it works - I'm calling these two Ben & Barbie (Ben is on the left, Barbie on the right)...the previous ones at Montrose and Yarra Junction are called Bob and Betty respectively.

Cheers, Maryanne

Belgrave Library closed from 7th August 2010, re-opening on the 11th August 2010

We’re making some changes! Due to the introduction of Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID) equipment, Belgrave Library will close at 1pm on Saturday 7th August and re-open at 10am on Wednesday 11th August.

The after hours book return chute will be available during this time. Also, you are welcome to use any other branch of Eastern Regional Libraries.

Cheers, Maryanne

Ephermeral collection

Due to the introduction of RFID Eastern Regional Libraries will no longer be having ephemeral collections. The ephemeral collections have included impermanent materials such as magazines, jigsaws and donated paperbacks.

Mills and Boon
The great news for Mills and Boon fans is that these paperback titles will be added to the catalogue with author and titles, barcoded and tagged. They will be floating and have a Home location of paperback so they'll move from branch to branch as they are returned. However you will be able to place holds on them and work your way through the series.

Jigsaws
Jigsaws will have one catalogue record to which all jigsaws will be added and each barcoded and tagged. They will be floating and have a Home location of jigsaw. Therefore they will move from branch to branch as they are returned

Coffee table magazines
Occasionally the library receives extra magazines which have previously been treated as ephemeral items. There will generally be no coffee table magazine collections.  Some branches may decide to keep the coffee table magazine collection in a tub however they will not be checked out onto members library cards.

Once these items start becoming barcoded they will become a 4-week loan and incur fines if returned late.


The process should be happening over the next couple of months.

Margaret Hall & Maryanne

RFID is coming to Eastern Regional Libraries

Eastern Regional Libraries is introducing Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology to help manage our library resources. RFID technology uses radio signals and tags to track and monitor items intsead of scanning barcodes. It will be a new and faster way of borrowing your items.

We are currently tagging all of our stock. We have started with Rowville and Boronia branches and it is going quite swiftly.

How will it affect me?
Library members will use a Self Check Station to check out their own items. Multiple items can be checked out a the one time. 

Will I still be able to ask a staff member to check out my items?
Library staff will be there to assist you and will be on hand to guide you through the steps as you learn the new system. There will also be a written guide at every station. I'm looking to create a video tutorial to upload to the website that will take you through the steps.

How do I know that I've checked out my items correctly?
The self check screen will alert you if any items have not been checked out successfully and a tranbsaction slip will be printed listing all items you have borrowed.

Do all items go through this machine?

Yes, all items available for loanb are issued using the Self Check Station.

What if I don't have my library card?

All library customers will need a valid library card to be able to borrow.

What will staff do if they're not checking out items?

Library staff will have more time to devote to helping customers

I'll be keeping you apprised as we work through the introduction of RFID this year. If you have any questions about RFID, please ask via our contact form on the library website.

Cheers, Maryanne