Product News

iLibrary Kiosk Porvides High-Tech, Unique Service for Library Systems

Washington County (Minn.) Library (WCL) has brought a new community asset to the City of Hugo, as well as all WCL patrons, with the introduction of the Washington County Library Express—a high-tech kiosk called iLibrary (developed by LEID Products in Auburn Hills, Mich.) where patrons can order, pick up, and return library materials, using a self-service kiosk, locker system, and book return. WCL Library Director Patricia Conley called the Library Express an innovative new way to deliver services to areas where a full-service library may not be close by and during a time when budgets are tight.

“Hugo is a community which is seeing substantial growth. We want to make sure access to library services is a cost-effective benefit which can contribute to that growth,” Conley said. “We envision people stopping by the Library Express to pick up their books in the midst of their other daily errands. It’s a fast process and only takes a few minutes to pick up the items they have put on hold. Because the Library Express is self-service and located outside Hugo City Hall, it will be open twenty-four hours a day. It can really be a convenient part of our customers’ daily lives.”

To request books, customers use their library card number and must have an e-mail address on file with WCL. Library cards are available online or through any WCL branch. Using either the Library Express kiosk or the WCL website from their own computer, customers designate the Library Express (Hugo City Hall) as the pickup point. They will be informed via e-mail when their materials are available. The items will be available for forty-eight hours from the time of delivery to the library.