Intellident and leading information data provider Bibliographic Data Services have signed a deal which will, for the first time, see the use of BDS's information-rich data appear within self-service kiosks.
BDS data included in the new Liber8 user interface (click for larger image)
With the release of version 5 of Intellident's award-winning Liber8 software - used on its range of self-service kiosks Ð the user experience will be further enhanced with the inclusion of book covers and other media. The aim is to make the borrowing of books, DVDs and games more intuitive, informative, helpful and even entertaining.
The kiosks, already in use in almost 700 libraries across the country, use Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID) technology to give users the ability to issue, renew and return items, check account status and even pay fees without the need to interact directly with a member of library staff.
BDS, the foremost creator of quality MARC records to libraries across the UK, will supply the enhanced elements of its data, such as book jacket images and jewel-case covers on music CDs and DVDs which will be used to give visual feedback via the kiosk to users.
Intellident's Marketing and Communications Manager, Andy Chadbourne, says: "Intellident has a long tradition of developing partnerships with vendors that deliver exceptional services to our customers. We are therefore delighted to be working with BDS, who fit this mould exactly, to allow us to significantly enhance the service that we can offer to our library customers. Utilising the wealth of data available through the BDS system will allow us to continue to deliver self-service systems that exceed expectations and drive further usage by the library users. BDS is made of a like-minded group of people who, like us, are focused on constant innovation within the marketplace."
The option of viewing enhancements via Intellident kiosks will be available to any local authorities using the BDS XML API Image or the Image Grabber services. Existing BDS customers using these services will be entitled to this option at no increased BDS subscription fee and all Intellident's existing customers will have access to this feature as part of their on-going software renewal programme.
Sarah Armitage, Director of Library Sales at BDS, says: "BDS and Intellident are two companies committed to enabling libraries to best serve their customers through continual product development. BDS has always recognised that co-operation with clients, other companies and the public is the best way to achieve this. Our deal with Intellident, therefore, is particularly gratifying as it will ensure that our quality data directly engages with library users and assists in bringing more people into libraries."
New clients that sign up to use the Intellident kiosks enhanced service will also be entitled to use the BDS data on their OPACs via BDS's Image Grabber or XML API. In the future, Intellident plans to use the comprehensive and versatile links in the BDS data to offer descriptions, author, title and genre cross-referencing, and reading suggestions within library stock.
More information
To find out more about BDS enhancement service contact Sarah Armitage on sarah.armitage@bibdsl.co.uk or 07860 324570.
To find out more about Intellident products and services visit www.intellident.co.uk or email a.chadbourne@intellident.co.uk or telephone: +44 (0)161 498 1140.