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Library West initiated a pilot SelfCheck service on June 30. The SelfCheck service enables students, faculty and staff to check out most regularly circulating library materials by themselves, making for a more efficient and streamlined service. Library patrons swipe their UF ID cards at the SelfCheck machine, then follow simple on-screen instructions to check out books.

UF Libraries’ staff, along with the Florida Center for Library Automation (FCLA), have been working on the SelfCheck technology, guidelines and procedures since early 2008. Actual testing of the technology took place in June. One SelfCheck machine will be implemented during the summer and by the beginning of fall semester another will be added, along with one at Marston Science Library. The machines will enable library patrons to check out most books and older, bound periodical volumes. Limited circulation and specialized materials such as Reserves, DVDs/videos and laptops will still be checked out through the circulation desks.

The SelfCheck service has been coordinated for all state university libraries by FCLA, a consortium that enables libraries to purchase equipment and materials at discounted prices and work together, under FCLA guidance, to initiate new online services such as the libraries online catalog, database services and the SelfCheck option. After the UF Libraries’ pilot project this summer, a number of other libraries in the consortium will install SelfCheck machines for their patrons.

The SelfCheck project at the UF Libraries was generously funded by Provost Janie Fouke as a service to the entire university community. It delivers self-service that is easier, faster and more versatile, and should result in fewer lines at the circulation desks at UF’s highest-volume libraries.

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