Botany Library Scoops IT Award With RFID Project

Botany Library Scoops Top IT Award With RFID Project

Manukau City has scooped the "Excellence in the use of IT in Government" Computerworld award for its deployment of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) in the new Botany library.

Botany was the first public library in New Zealand to implement an RFID-based intelligent library system when it opened last October.

The technology supplied by Checkpoint Meto uses programmable intelligent chips which provide sophisticated item identification and usage information.

Deployment of the RFID system has given Botany an estimated 20 percent process efficiency, resulting in longer opening hours and enhanced customer service.

Manukau library manager, Chris Szekely says he is delighted with the award and recognition it brings to both libraries and local government.

"We're very proud a library has been held up as best practice in IT," says Szekely. "Libraries aren't always associated with innovation in this arena so to be recognised with the top award in New Zealand is a real coup.

"It's also a victory for local government and shows we can be just as innovative at the local level as the larger central government bodies typically recognised in these awards."

Szekely says the award process was extensive with methodology, integration, user acceptance, go live and post live phases all being documented and analysed by the judges. He also paid tribute to Adele Nairn, who as Manukau Libraries' Technologies Manager oversaw the RFID implementation project, and the team from Checkpoint Meto who went the extra mile throughout the installation.

Checkpoint Meto, are equally delighted with the win for their intelligent library system.

"When we installed the system into Botany we knew the considerable advantages its functionality would provide both staff and library patrons," says Checkpoint Meto New Zealand sales manager, Guy LePine-Williams.

"However to see the efficiencies gained, and have it so well received, after less than a year of operation is clearly very exciting from our company's point of view.

"It's been a combination of a great product and a lot of hard work which has brought the result," says LePine-Williams.

The installation included imbedding microchips into each of the libraries 35,000 books, establishment of easy to use self checkouts for patrons, and automatic book check-ins.

Checkpoint Meto are international leaders in library solutions, supplying a range of library management tools including RFID-based and EM (Electro Magnetic) systems to libraries around the world.

ENDS

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