Project Team assembled

The Project Team for the Self Service project has now been asssembled and held its first meeting. The team members are:

• John Hodgkinson - Project Sponsor
• Andrew Cothliff - Project Manager
• Paul Hurley - Technical Lead (Networks)
• Glyn Sinar - Technical Lead (Applications)
• Di Baxter - Operational Lead (North)
• Jane Berry - Operational Lead (South)
• Karen Dobson - Operational Lead (East)
• Phil Farrell - Contractor Project Manager

There will also be a site representative for each site that will act as local champion for the project.

The initial meeting outlined the project management approach and the team roles and responsibilities. The next step is for Andrew to assemble the Project Initiation document (P.I.D)ready for the project launch. This document will be widely distributed to ensure stakeholders are aware of what we are trying to achieve and how we are going to accomplish our objectives that are set out in the P.I.D. The project launch date will be dictated by the signing of the contracts.

Self Service Location Evaluation

John Hodgkinson and Andrew Cothliff carried out independent surveys of each site and our assessment of the proposed locations and alternatives were as follows.

Morecambe
The original proposal was to locate the Self Service units to the left of the entrance against the workroom wall. This would require additional data points. However, we felt that the better location would be on the current kiosk and Catalogue terminal desk with a view to relocating the current terminals. The logic being that users veer towards the counter which draws their line of sight to this area. It is also within sight of the counter so that staff can see if users are struggling and also if the unit is working or not. The power and data is already available and therefore will facilitate a speedier installation.

Chorley

Chorley has just finished a full refurbishment and 2 additional 'pods' have been installed at the counter area (see right).
It is proposed to install the self service units on the 2 left hand 'pods' with the view that staff can be on hand to assist users in using the new units. The units will be slightly hidden from view by the central displays but with good signage and concerted marketing by staff this should be overcome.

Nelson

Nelson is a Library that hasn't undergone any 'Regeneration' to date and therefore the design would need to fit in with the current 'old fashioned' interior. The original location of the self issue units was to be at the end of what is currently the issue counter. After review it was felt that the best location would be as users entered the library on the front of the main counter but this would be dependent on removing the EM unit at the exit. The Self Service units would be built into the counter and enable users to quicky return items if they were in a hurry.

Ormskirk

Ormskirk Library is currently undergoing regeneration and Self Service has been integrated into the design. After reviewing the location it was felt that the identified location should not change.

Poulton

Poulton Library has just completed its regeneration and Self Service was integrated into the design of the refurbished Library. The Self Service units will be positioned next to the entrance as shown left and this will capture some users heading towards the counter.

Haslingden

Haslingden Library has just undergone an impressive refurbishment with the Big Lottery funding and once again cabling and power had been incorporated into the programme of works. Two locations had originally been identified but the supplier recommendations were for only one unit based on annual transactions at the site. After reviewing the locations it was decided that the best location would be next to the main entrance as this would capture users entering from both the main and the rear entrances.