First self-service library opens

CARMARTHENSHIRE’S first selfservice library has opened its doors in Newcastle Emlyn Town Centre.

The library, which is located within the Foyer of the Cawdor Hall, is the first of its kind in the county to offer its members state of the art interactive technology at the scan of a library card.

Two book vending kiosks have been installed, as well as self-service reservation lockers, computer tablets and a dedicated computer suite.

The vending kiosk allows library members to choose from a selection of the latest fiction and non-fiction book titles.

Once users have selected their titles the kiosk will provide a useful printed receipt for the transaction.

A 32-space self-service reservation locker allows library members to collect and return items they have reserved from an extensive online catalogue.

People are notified by text when their items are ready for collection from the locker and can be picked up at a time to suit themselves, even when the branch is unmanned.

The new service also has a computer suite with four stations and six tablets available for use throughout the day as well as free Wifi throughout.

Opening hours are Monday to Saturday between 9am to 6pm with staff assistance available, Monday 2pm to 5pm; Tuesday to Thursday 10am to 1pm and Friday between 3pm and 6pm.

Carmarthenshire Council’s cabinet member for culture, sport and tourism, Peter Hughes Griffiths said: “We are delighted to be able to offer our library members this service which is a first for our county.”

He added: “Our library book vending kiosks provide continuation of service to new and existing library users while our reservation lockers enable library customers to access the vast Carmarthenshire library catalogue and have any title delivered to a pick-up locker for collection at a time convenient to them.”