Technical University in Karlsruhe, Germany Established the First 24/7-Library

Since 2006, the Library of the internationally well-known Karlsruhe University has been open seven days a week, 24 hours a day. Until now, this around-the-clock-service is unique for German libraries. Only with the use of Bibliotheca’s BiblioChip® RFID System was it possible to realize unlimited opening hours because of the redeployment of the staff. The hardware and software of the Swiss RFID expert, Bibliotheca RFID Library Systems, controls the complete Media Security, the Self Check Out and the automatic Book Return and Sorting Operations.

Karlsruhe’s experiences with the new Bibliotheca RFID technology have been extremely positive. Library patronage has tripled compared to 2005, but the annual check out rate of 600,000 items has not increased significantly. This means that new patron groups have been tapped which appreciate the Library’s services with a stock of over one Million items as the University’s modern Information and Communication Center.

One quarter of the patrons are working at night between 7 p.m. and 9 a.m. Ten percent of the Library’s total use happens on weekends, especially Sundays. The additional late night working hours are very welcome. Compared to Saturdays, there are twice as many patrons working in the library. With the use of Bibliotheca’s RFID system, the staff’s working hours remained the same but the service has increased.

“The newly-installed 24/7-Library wants to adjust the library’s knowledge transfer for both scientists and students to the high requirements in international competition. It was necessary to reorganize the previous Library’s use-concept as well as to adapt architectural and technical features”, explains Christoph-Hubert Schütte, University Library’s Director. In October 2006 the Technical University in Karlsruhe was honored with the title “Elite University Germany”. With its consistent patron orientation and its use of the most modern technology the Library is a major contributor to the University’s success and popularity.

Bibliotheca RFID Library Systems AG, headquartered in Cham/Switzerland, is Europe’s leading RFID Library System provider. Internationally it is Number three. The company is specialized in designing, producing and marketing of RFID systems, hard- and software for library automation and media security. More than 100 major public and university libraries worldwide successfully use the BiblioChip® RFID System.
Bibliotheca sales offices are located in Germany, Italy, Denmark, Canada and the USA.
For more information please visit www.bibliotheca-rfid.com

Bibliotheca RFID Library Systems AG
Hinterbergstrasse 17
6330 Cham
Switzerland
Tel. +41 – (0)41 – 726 99 55
Fax +41 – (0)41 – 726 99 56
info@bibliotheca-rfid.com
www.bibliotheca-rfid.com


Presscontact:
Birgit Lindl
Drächslstraße 7
81541 München
Germany
Tel. +49 – (0)89 – 6511 5388
E-Mail birgit.lindl@bibliotheca-rfid.com

This release was published on openPR.