How to Achieve Smart Library Management with ESL

Evolving into a smart library is vital for every public and private library to remain relevant in the era of digital technology.

Libraries are a big part of people’s lives and are valuable assets to communities. Children, students, researchers, journalists, teachers, and more turn to libraries as they hold the important information and stories people seek. In 2020, it was even reported that residents in the United States visited public libraries over 1.3 billion times. While this is good, there is a need for libraries to step up and provide a better experience for all library goers and patrons. It’s time to turn to modern technologies and utilize smart library management.

A "smart library" essentially refers to a library that incorporates advanced technologies and modern approaches to enhance overall functionality, efficiency, and user experience. These technologies can include various electronic shelf labels, automation, data analytics, and other innovative solutions.

A smart library can encourage more patrons and drive more use of library facilities compared to an ordinary library. As libraries embrace modernization, more people can rediscover their love for reading, find resources for school or work, and build an educated and engaged community overall.

Here are some key features and aspects associated with a smart library:

• Digital Resources: A smart library provides access to a wide range of digital resources, such as e-books, online journals, digital magazines, audiobooks, databases, and other multimedia content. These resources can be accessed remotely by users and patrons, making information available anytime and anywhere.
• Automation and Self-Service: Smart libraries often implement automation for tasks like book checkouts, returns, and inventory management. Self-service kiosks, for example, allow users to borrow and return items without the need for staff assistance.
• Data Analytics: Libraries can use data analytics to track usage patterns, in-demand titles and items, and user preferences. This information helps libraries make informed decisions about resource allocation and collection development.
• RFID Technology: Radio frequency identification (RFID) technology is commonly used in a lot of retail businesses. In a smart library, it allows for efficient tracking of library books and materials. This reduces the need for manual handling and improves inventory accuracy.
• Smart Environment and Spaces: Libraries may incorporate smart technologies to create adaptive, user-friendly spaces and an overall engaging environment. This could include smart lighting, temperature control, and seating arrangements that adapt to user needs.
• Collaborative and Interactive Tools: Smart libraries often provide collaborative spaces equipped with interactive technologies like digital whiteboards and video conferencing setups to facilitate group work and meetings.
• Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR): Some smart libraries also experiment with VR and AR technologies to create immersive learning experiences and engage users in new ways.
• Mobile Apps and Online Platforms: Libraries may develop or integrate mobile apps and online platforms that enable users to access library services, search catalogs, reserve items, and interact with librarians virtually.
• Personalized Services: Smart libraries can offer personalized recommendations for reading materials based on users' interests, borrowing history, and preferences.
• Green Initiatives: Many smart libraries are environmentally conscious and implement sustainable practices. This includes energy-efficient lighting, paperless processes, and waste reduction efforts.
• Community Engagement: Smart libraries often focus on community engagement by hosting workshops, seminars, author talks, and other events that cater to the interests and needs of their users.
• Electronic Shelf Labels and Signage: Smart libraries also incorporate electronic shelf labels (ESL) and even digital signage to create an innovative library setting. ESLs can be displayed on every shelf to display extensive information about books and categories, while digital signage can help market upcoming titles, events, new releases, seasonal offers, and more.

A smart library management system is an advanced software solution or system designed to streamline and automate various aspects of a modern library’s operations and administration. It leverages smart tools, smart services, smart place elements, and smart governance to enhance the efficiency, organization, and user experience within a library environment.

This type of system encompasses a range of functions aimed at managing library resources, services, and interactions with patrons. Overall, it plays a vital role in reducing manual labor and man-made mistakes, making the library more accessible for a lot of people, and bringing library functionality towards a more digital space.

Here are some key features and components of a smart library management system:

• Catalog Management: The system helps in creating and maintaining a digital catalog of library resources. This includes books, e-books, journals, multimedia items, and more. It provides features for easy searching, sorting, and filtering of items, not just for the patrons but for the library staff as well.
• Automated Checkouts and Returns: Users can self-checkout and return items using self-service kiosks equipped with RFID or barcode scanning technology. This reduces staff workload and enhances user convenience and the overall experience.
• Inventory Tracking and Management: A good smart library management system tracks the availability and location of library materials in real time. This prevents misplacement and enables efficient retrieval and management of items.
• Digital Resource Management: It handles the acquisition, organization, and access to digital resources of a smart library, like e-books, digital magazines, online databases, and multimedia content.
• User Profiles and Accounts: Patrons can create personalized accounts to manage their borrowing history, hold requests, and preferences with a smart library system. This facilitates efficient service, as well as personalized recommendations.
• Data Analytics: The system can gather data on usage patterns, popular items, and user behavior, providing insights that help in decision-making and collection development for the smart library.
• Online Reservations and Holds: Users can place holds or reserve items online, ensuring they're available when they visit the library.
• Integrated Library Website: The system might include a user-friendly website that provides access to the library's catalog, online resources, event schedules, and event announcements.
• Communication Tools or System: Patrons can receive notifications about due dates, overdue items, and upcoming library events through email or mobile notifications.
• Reports and Analytics: Library administrators can generate reports on circulation, usage trends, and inventory status to assess the library's performance and plan improvements for the next month or quarter.
• Interlibrary Loan Management: For libraries that participate in interlibrary loan programs, the system can manage requests and exchanges of materials between libraries.
• Integration with RFID and Barcode Technology: RFID, barcode technology, and other tracking technology can help in tracking and managing physical items efficiently for the library staff.
• Mobile App Access: Many smart library management systems offer mobile apps to allow users to access library services and resources from their mobile devices.
• Integration with Learning Management Systems: In educational institutions, the library management system might integrate with the institution's learning management system to provide students and teaching staff seamless access to library resources.

Electronic shelf labels, often implemented as one of the smart library technologies, can play a significant role in enhancing smart library management. After all, ESL provides multiple benefits to Libraries, including real-time and accurate information, visual marketing, streamlined tracking and inventory, and better efficiency.

A great example of ESL would be SOLUM’s Newton LITE. These are small, straightforward digital labels, yet they still make for a powerful and innovative smart library solution. Instead of using paper to label library shelves, Newton LITE can be an efficient and sustainable alternative.

Here's a closer look at how electronic shelf labels, or ESL, can help achieve smart library management:

Dynamic Item Information

Newton LITE labels can be attached to physical items or shelves showcasing various library items, such as books, DVDs, and other library materials. Since these labels have a 7-page capacity, they can display dynamic and accurate information about the item, including its title, author, edition, call number, and availability status. As items are checked out or returned, the labels can be updated in real time to reflect their current status.

Real-Time Availability

Patrons can quickly determine the availability of an item without having to search the catalog or ask library staff. The digital labels can indicate whether an item is available, checked out, on hold, or being processed. Newton technology allows 10x faster update speeds, which means library personnel can update hundreds of labels within a few minutes if not seconds.

Reduced Shelf-Scanning Time

Librarians spend a significant amount of time manually scanning shelves to identify misplaced items. Digital labels can help expedite this process by showing the correct shelf location for each item, minimizing the time spent on shelf maintenance and item management.

Remote Shelf Updates

Instead of manually updating electronic shelf labels when items are moved or reclassified, librarians can remotely update the electronic shelf labels' information from a central system. Newton LITE can be connected to Aims (Advanced Information Management System), which enhances ESL management. Library staff can use this central system to remotely update and modify digital labels.

Easy Reconfiguration of Spaces

Libraries often need to reconfigure their spaces for events, promotions and marketing, or seasons. Newton LITE labels make it easy to reassign items or reattach them to different sections or displays without the need to print and attach new paper labels. Every label is optimized for easy installation, and non-authorized people cannot easily remove it from shelves.

Promotional Content or Advertising Material

Libraries can use Newton LITE to display promotional content, such as new arrivals or releases, and featured collections. This can help increase user engagement and awareness of library offerings. These electronic shelf labels also have customizable sticker bezels around them, which gives the library staff a chance to show library logos or brand colors.

Integration with Smartphones and Mobile Transactions

Patrons can use their smartphones to scan QR codes on ESLs to access additional information about items, such as summaries, reviews, and availability, in real time. Newton LITE also has NFC tapping or near-field communication capabilities to allow mobile checkouts in self-checkout kiosks. 

Energy Efficiency and Sustainability

Full Graphic E-ink Display used in Newton LITE labels, which consumes very little power and requires infrequent updates. The ESL battery also lasts up to five years—a much more positive environmental impact compared to paper labels. All of these make the labels energy-efficient, sustainable, and suitable for long-term use.

Enhanced User Experience

Electronic shelf labels like the Newton LITE contribute to a modern and tech-savvy atmosphere in the library. This aligns with the expectations of contemporary users and gives libraries a modern advantage for a lot of patrons.

Inventory Tracking and Management

Newton LITE can greatly enhance inventory tracking and management in a smart library by providing real-time updates, accuracy, and efficiency. Library staff won’t have to spend time tracking every book, magazine, and other library material. The automation also helps avoid errors and inaccuracies, which enhances smart library operations.

Turning a traditional library into a smart library comes with a range of advantages that can significantly change the way people view and use library facilities. Smart technologies in libraries enhance the user experience, streamline operations, and adapt to the digital age.

Here are some key advantages of transforming a library into a smart library:

• Enhanced user experience
• Efficient resource management
• Automated and real-time processes
• Innovative technology adoption
• Improved accessibility
• Data-driven decision-making
• Efficient space design
• Better community engagement
• Interactive programs and book events
• Reduced environmental impact and better sustainability
• Flexibility and adaptability to industry trends
• Promotion of lifelong and innovative learning
• Learning support and development
• Efficient internal communication
• Immersive learning experiences
• Integration or collaboration with educational institutions
• Improved user engagement
• Reduced operational costs
• Smart libraries can change a lot of things within the industry and create a new and engaging experience for all kinds of library goers.

If you need an ESL solution for your smart library management, talk to SOLUM today.