Bilsthorpe library among ten to benefit from a share of £50,586 for self-service equipment

A library is set to benefit from a share of £50k to upgrade its services.

Bilsthorpe Library is among the ten libraries in Nottinghamshire set to benefit from a cash windfall to improve digital infrastructure in the buildings.

The libraries will share £50,586 as part of the latest round of funding from The Department for Culture, Media and Sport’s Libraries Improvement Fund, set up to transform library services in England.

Bilsthorpe Library will now be upgraded with a self-service checkout kiosk, which are easy to use and able to issue 12 books in less than 30 seconds.

Mark Walker, service director for place at Nottinghamshire County Council, said: "We are always looking for ways to use technology to make sure our services are best placed to respond to the changing ways people are using them.

"The introduction of self-service kiosks at these libraries will open up the library space and free up librarians’ time to add value where it counts.

“Customer’s reaction in our other libraries has been very positive and I’m sure library users will embrace the new technology.

“Staff will be on hand to help people use the new self-service kiosks but it is anticipated that the new technology will free them to do the thing they do best — help with enquiries, focus on customers who most need their help and deliver popular programmes within the library.”

In the libraries where kiosks have already been introduced by Nottinghamshire County Council over the past 12 years, most of the books issued are now processed through them.

This has freed up time for librarians to help customers find information, order books and maintain events and activities on offer such as the successful Summer Reading Challenge which inspires children to enjoy reading as part of their summer holidays.