New self service machine in the library!

Yes, we finally have a new self-service machine that allows you to borrow books AND return them!

It’s easy to use, just follow the instructions on the screen. But here is a quick step-by-step guide.

Borrowing

Press the Borrow button on the screen.

Then you need to scan the barcode on the back of your University Card (remember that you will need to have registered your card with Chemistry Library staff before you can borrow books).

You can now start borrowing books!

Open up the book, as if you were going to read it. You will see in the bottom left corner of the front page (or sometimes the second page) a barcode with a number beginning 5380. This is the barcode that needs to be scanned, NOT the ISBN barcode on the back of the book!

You need to turn the book round so that the barcode is now on the top right, and the spine is making contact with the metal block.

Slide the spine of the book forward, along the metal block until the barcode reaches the scanner and scans it.

The book will now be issued to you. You will see the due date on the screen.

The metal block is the ‘desensitiser’ which allows you to remove the book from the library without setting the security alarm off.

If you have another book or books to borrow then you can do so now.

You can press the Print receipt button to print off a receipt which tells you what books you have borrowed (or returned), along with their due dates, and library contact details. So there’s no excuse for bringing books back late!

If you print off a receipt, this automatically logs you out of the Borrow mode.

If you choose not to print a receipt, press the Finish button on the screen and this will log you out.

Returns

The major change is that you should now return your books on the machine and place them on the table next to the machine. The Book Returns box should now only be used if the self-service machine isn’t working.

The advantage of this is that returned books are now immediately available for others to borrow. When placed in the Book Returns box the books weren’t available again until either the next day or after a weekend.

To return a book, press the Return button on the home screen.

Scan the book barcode (positioned the same way as with borrowing).

Remove the book and place on the table next to the self service machine. Press the Continue button.

Do this for each book you want to return.

If you print off a receipt, this automatically logs you out of the Return mode.

If you choose not to print a receipt, press the Finish button on the screen and this will log you out.

The book(s) you have returned are immediately available for others to borrow. They have been ‘resensitised’ so will trigger the security alarm if removed from the library without being borrowed properly.

Remember, you should not use the Returns Box anymore (unless the self-service machine isn’t working).

In future we hope to improve the functionality of the machine so that you can use it renew books and also see what you have on loan, for example.

We welcome any feedback you have on this new facility.

We have also taken the opportunity to refresh some signage, and have removed the microfiche reader to the Basement Store. We have placed the resource brochures and leaflets that were on top of the Returns Box on a table near the self-issue machine. We hope this makes it easier for you to find useful information on the resources that are available to you.