February 11, 2010
Odegaard gets first self-checkout station for books and in-library course reserves
Students waiting to check out a book or open reserve materials now have an option: a self-service checkout station on the ground floor of Odegaard Undergraduate Library, installed in December 2009.
Although it is not the first self-check in UW Libraries (Health Sciences Library has had one for a few years), it is the first at Odegaard. A Libraries survey in late 2008 showed an overwhelming number of students in favor of a self-checkout station.
The machine cost almost $22,000 and was funded by the Student Technology Fee, a yearly fee paid by UW students, with the wiring and the yearly maintenance agreement funded by the Libraries. STF receives numerous proposals for technology programs or equipment that will benefit students.
“Our main goal with the self-check machine, and the reason for its location, is to allow students to check out their own materials which are on open class reserve,” said Ryan McCrory, access services manager at Odegaard. “Students are pressed for time as it is, and often just need to run in, grab their books, check out and go. During our busy times, the self-check machine just gives students another option.”
Odegaard doesn’t have plans for more self-check stations at this point, but UW Libraries staff will watch the numbers in terms of use and patron satisfaction.
