Come on in and help yourself

Self-service libraries that give people access to library services outside of normal hours

Through a combination of technologies such as RFID and Automated Loan and Return Desks, a current trend in libraries is that of an ‘Open Library’ which, in principle, allows users access to the library in additional hours when there are no staff present.

The interior design of such a library is similar to that of a traditional library but the layout is typically more open and spacious to give the user a clear overview of the library and to create a sense of security and comfort. In order to accommodate these ‘staff-less’ opening hours, a lot of libraries are moving away from big information counters and replacing these with small, pod-like counters which are dispersed around the library to be used when there is personnel.