Libraries of Russia: “Customer service without librarians” technology to get unveiled in Moscow

Patrons of the N.A. Nekrasov Moscow Central Universal Scientific Public Library will be the first in Russia to enjoy all the benefits of the customer service without librarians. They will be partially replaced by special machines.

This step will become possible due to the upgrade of the information library complex planned for the next year. Patrons will have a chance to make use of the state-of-the-art technology of “customer service without librarians”, which has never been practiced in other libraries.

From now on at all hours of the day or night patrons will be welcome to come and either return or receive a book, or get any kind of information via an e-card. The library will be thus equipped with electronic information terminals to read information from the card.

To use this novelty will be as easy as pie: you only need to insert an upgraded e-library card made in the shape of a plastic card into the library terminal. It will read the information about the patron and then offer a list of services to choose from: return a book, receive a book, get access to library’s archive or its database.

“Library without librarians” – is not the sole innovation prepared by the cutting-edge library information complex to offer to its patrons: plans also cover revamping of the e-library, electronic reading rooms, growth of the databank, archives, and providing Internet access.