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Save Time By Using Beatley Library's New Self-Checkout Station

Posted September 27, 2006

Beginning this semester, Beatley Library patrons can check books out from the library without waiting at the Circulation Desk. Our new self-checkout station, located on Level Two of the library, lets you scan your Fenway Card, and the barcodes on the books you need, without having to get assistance from the library staff.

Self-checkout takes care of everything. It charges the books to your library account, desensitizes the books (so you’ll be able to pass through the exit gate), and prints a receipt listing each book and its due date. Of course, you can’t check out non-circulating items, such as journals and reference books, and you won’t be able to check a book out if another patron has already placed an online request for it.

The station displays easy-to-understand instructions on its screen, and isn’t that different from checkout machines found at the supermarket. Just scan your Fenway Card, then scan each book’s barcode, which is usually on, or just inside of, the back cover. As each book is scanned, its title will display on the screen, and you’ll hear a “THUNK” when it has been desensitized. As soon as you’re all done, press “Print Receipt” on the screen, take your receipt, and pack up your books. It’s that easy!

With self-checkout, you also have the option of pressing “Account Info” on the screen, which will display the number of items and overdue items you have charged to your account, and the total amount of any fines you owe for lost and overdue materials.

Need help using the self-checkout station for the first time (or at any time)? There’s a campus phone right next to the station, so you can call down to the Circulation Desk for assistance.

Why not give self-checkout a try on your next visit to Beatley Library? The self-checkout station is located on Level Two, next to the photocopiers.

 

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