A new feature at the larger libraries throughout Chatham-Kent becomes active today as self service scanners now allow patrons to check out books and other materials on their own.
Manager of Support Services Heidi Wyma says the devices are easy to operate.
"You scan your card yourself, you scan your books one at a time and the system will check them out to you. They'll register on your account just like you would if you were with a library staff person," she says. "They're easy to use, they've got touch screens. You can email receipts to yourself if you don't want a paper printout. Depending on what you are checking out, you'll get some recommended reads that might give you some ideas for the next time you are in."
The devices are intended to give staff more time to help library patrons with book searches, recommendations and other requests.
They are located at the Tilbury, Ridgetown, Dresden, Blenheim, Wallaceburg and Chatham branches.