The Downtown and Evansdale libraries have recently installed a new checkout system that will enable students to get their books in a timelier manner.

The new system, called 3M’s SelfCheck, is very similar to what students run across when doing a self-check out at the grocery store.

Billy Wolfe/THE DAILY ATHENAEUM
Senior chemistry major Emily Perteete attempts to use the new self-check out counter at the downtown library, but has problems with the scanner. According to librarians, not all books have barcodes placed on them properly and oversized books will not work at the new station.

“The system only checks out books, not journals. There are also a small percentage of items where the barcode is not in the right place, and in that case, we will take care of you at the desk,” says Mary Strife, director of the Evansdale Library and circulation policy committee chair.

Students are prompted to touch the screen, and then they are guided through animated instructions on how to check out their book.

After touching the screen, the students are prompted to swipe their WVU ID card and to put the books barcode under the scanner’s red beam. A clicking noise symbolizes that the process is complete.

At this point, students can either check out more books or finish their transactions.
When finished, the station will print out a receipt with a due date stamped on it.

“Make sure you take your receipt that has the printed date on it because this is the only record of when the book is due,” Strife said.

If a student has a library fine, the system will direct them to the Access Services desk to clear the matter before the student is allowed to check out the book.

The new systems are located to the right of the library’s circulation desk and are set off by themselves.

The Health Sciences Library, which will open in January of 2007, will also have a self check system installed.

For more information on the new self check system visit the Downtown Library Complex.
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This new option, 3M’s SelfCheck, is similar to using a self-checkout at the grocery store. Simply touch the screen and animated instructions guide you through the process.

“It’s a nice alternative for those days when the lines are two or three people deep and you just need to check out a book,” said Mary Strife, Evansdale Library Director and circulation policy committee chair. “This is a fast way to get it done and go.”

Upon touching the screen, the user is prompted to swipe his WVU ID card and to pass the selected book’s barcode under the scanner’s red beam. A clicking noise means the process is complete.

The user can either check out another book or end the transaction. When done, the station prints a date-due receipt. Retrieving and keeping the receipt is important because a due date will not be stamped inside the book, said Carroll Wilkinson, Head of Access Services for the Downtown Campus Library.

The system works with all library materials except bound journals and items from media services. Those resources require the traditional trip to the Access Services Desk. Also, the system directs anyone with a library fine to Access Services to clear the matter before checking out a book.

Plans call for the new Health Science Library to have a SelfCheck system when it opens it doors in January 2007.

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