CORDIS Archive

Updated: 03 JUN 1998

Additional information can be obtained from the SELF web site (http://www.sppb.se/self/selfeng.htm)

---

Theme

(Theme 99)

Project description

The enormous pressure on libraries of all types, arising from a combination of heavy demand and limited resources, has meant that there is a great interest in a shift towards the concepts of self-service for users. At the same time, the development of client-server systems opens up the possibilities for much wider use of self-service facilities.

The objectives of the project were to examine user requirements for self service, assess their operational impact and explore the technical basis for developments in order to deliver a generalised functional specification for self-service systems in libraries.

Technical approach

The project was structured into four workpackages, with milestones set after Workpackage 1, Workpackage 3 and at project end.

• Workpackage 1 assessed the requirements of both library staff and end-users in regard to self-service, using desk research, questionnaire and interviews.
• Workpackage 2 investigated installed systems from the viewpoints of implementation, operation and management.
• Workpackage 3 examined the design implications for self-service, with security aspects, of the open systems standard included.
• Workpackage 4 created a functional specification for self-service systems development in libraries.

Information dissemination to a wide audience, culminating in a seminar at project end, was considered to be a key task.

Key issues

The main technical issues were:

• Scope and requirements for self-service functions;
• Technical platforms and architectures needed;
• Interfaces with other technologies (eg security systems, chip-cards).

Impact and results

The study provided a clear basis for the introduction of self-service based technological solutions in libraries and stimulate the development of such systems.

The main results were:

• reports on implementation and operational issues;
• generalised specification for the further development of self-service systems;
• recommendations on further work necessary.

All of the SELF partners were committed to the principle of self service and sought to exploit the outcome of the project.

Deliverables

Main deliverables are:

• Operational analysis of self-service systems in libraries;
• Generalised functional specification;
• Final report comprising consolidated report on functional and technical requirementsfor self service in libraries.

Documentation is available from the contact below.

Coordinator:

Other Contact:

Other Partners :