Use of “Kiosks” as a Self-Service Tools in Libraries.

Abstract - As we all know that today is the world of technology, technology impacts on every
field. In the world of 21st, century internet and information technology is a main part of
technology. In the field of library, internet and information technology are new media of
information delivery and storage. Information and Communication Technology has brought huge
changes in information storage, retrieval and traditional practices in which LIS professionals
faced challenges to move traditional role of select librarian to Information Technology Manager,
today’s librarian must update with the latest technology. There are a need and the trend of the
world to collect, manage, protect and deliver information in digital form. To get information is
now easy in the age of information technology. Students, professionals, research scholars get
related information on their desktop/laptop/smartphone using information technology platform.
Information communication technology produced challenges to library professionals. In the era
of technology its must to an introduced library function, resources and e-resources to users’
community through technological tools. One of them is Kiosk technology. In this paper, brief
talk about the Kiosk trends and utilization in academic libraries have been described, also discuss
how Kiosk technology is useful in various function of academic libraries.
Keywords: Kiosk, digital library, Information communication technology, digital services.

Introduction

Technology is reshaping the world of libraries at an unimaginable speed. As the internet, Google,
I-Phones, smart phones, tablets have made every information accessible within a fraction of
seconds and that too without visiting the library. Even demands and expectations of new
generation library users are also very high. Now the libraries must change the old traditions and
must think of providing the facilities to the users without their personal presence.

The interactive information kiosks can be used in libraries to make the reference of the libraries
highly effective. A kiosk is a Persian language word pronounced as KEE-ahsk. Earlier in Mughal
architectures the Kiosks were a small circular open corridor or portico in any corner of the
garden or on the roof of the palace. In western countries kiosks are small booths or vendor shops
on the roads and were opened from one side and used to sell small daily need things such as
newspapers, magazines, cigarettes etc.

In the world of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) kiosks are an electronic
device or a computer terminal placed near common public areas these kiosks can store the data
and its interactive features provide the relevant information to its users. Kiosks are usually self-
service stations where the common public gets the relevant information without any human
assistance. Murray Lappe invented first self-service kiosk when he was studying at university of
Illinois. This kiosk was called “The Plato Hotline” and was used by the students and visitors to
find information on bus schedule, courses, maps, movies and directories etc.

The first commercial kiosk was displayed in 1991 at Comdex. It was equipped with an internet
connection. It was used for locating the missing children.

Now several countries across the globe has installed large number of kiosks for several different
purposes. The United Kingdom has installed kiosks at a very large scale for the job seekers
which helps them in finding employment. One such large scale installation of kiosks in UK is
also in the field of health information services where it provides information to the socially
excluded groups and this information is provided in six different languages: Chinese, Bengali,
Urdu, Punjabi, English and French.

In USA the kiosk is even used in the immigration and the security department where the visitor
registers for their entry and exits in the United States. The kiosks are very common in airports
where most of the airlines use self-check in kiosk e.g. British Airways. In India the kiosks were
widely installed during the Commonwealth Games for providing the information to the visitors.
Literature Survey

While writing this article a large amount of academic, commercial and grey literature was
explored. While using Internet searches some published and unpublished literature was also
obtained. Extensive internet search was done using Knimbus and Google Scholar search engines.
The general terms used while searching were “Kiosks” “Kiosk in Libraries” “Application of
Kiosks in Libraries” “Information Kiosks” etc

Rowely [6] describes multi-media kiosks concerning illustration a critical development in in-
store advancement which have, until as it depended upon paper-built item catalogues and
promotional leaflets, with all of their specialist issues. Summers [16] recommends kiosks as the
mobile shop which will be utilized by clients to request grocery things for direct delivery service,
hybrid environments in which limited service delivery performs through kiosks, that would
supplement by human service operators who perform the other functions.

Connolly and Olsen [2]: innovation has changed the service sector drastically by adding valuable
choices to complete exchanges. Rowley and Slack [5]: 21st century kiosks support various works
including most of data promotion, interaction between consumer and user to help the
customization of data and transactions. Schware [15] To bridge the virtual divide, many
researchers and practitioners have advocated the usage of kiosks recognized variously as tele-
facilities, kiosks, to points, community technology facilities and cyber-cafes. Fusionex [3]: a
framework architect may incorporate the most current advanced multimedia innovation to
provide more interactive self-kiosk system.

Kiosk Components: Broadly speaking every kiosk has three major components: The Kiosk
hardware, the kiosk software and the application. The Kiosk hardware is usually a touch screen
computer terminal looking like ATM machines. Depending upon the specific requirements the
material used may vary from sheet metal to thermoformed plastic. Kiosks are usually available in
7 feet in length and that can be used while standing on a bench or sitting on a chair. The size of
the touch screen terminal and product design body may vary depending upon the special
customized requirements or the manufacturing company’s product and design
Problem Definition

To Develop a cloud-based library kiosk to providing various service related to library to reduce
the extra burden and workload of staff and reduces queues and waiting time at the library service
desks.

Purpose

kiosks are an electronic device, or a computer terminal placed near common public areas these
kiosks can store the data and its interactive features provide the relevant information to its users.
Kiosks are usually self-service stations where the common public gets the relevant information
without any human assistance. The interactive information kiosks can be used in libraries to
make the reference of the libraries highly effective.

Goals and Objectives

The Goals and Objectives of the given system are as follows:

 To build a kiosk for library service to reduce human efforts and time required.
 To remotely manages the library devices from one location.
 It can be used for providing various library functions and information and at one point.
Such as library catalogue, library maps, online library services, self-automated
registrations and self-checkouts etc.

Features

 Supports multiple / regional languages

 Easy to use and interactive graphical user interface.
 Library map for navigation.
 An effective alternate to the reference desk.
 It makes the tractions fast with textual instructions and visuals.
Proposed Architecture

Fig – Proposed Architecture

Software Required

• Programming language – Python

• Libraries – Flask
• Tool – PyCharm, FileZilla, PuTTY (SSH client), Postmen
• Database – MySQL/MongoDB
• Web – HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Bootstrap

Software Required

• Tablet / PC / any thin client

Area of Project

Cloud computing, mobile/web Application, Database

Advantages

 Kiosks are self-service stations hence reduce the extra burden and workload of staff.
 It reduces queues and waiting time at the library service desks.
 It remotely manages the library devices from one location.
 It can be used for providing various library functions and information and at one point.
Such as library catalogue, library maps, online library services, self-automated
registrations and self-checkouts etc.
 The multi-language function can help user to use the instruction in any of the languages
he is comfortable in use.

Limitations

 Internet/LAN connectivity required.

 More than one device required for large size institute.

Conclusion

Slowly and steadily the libraries in India are also moving towards the technologies using used in
the western world. Now the librarians need to think out of the box. It is the time to extend the
libraries outreach facilities so that more and more users can use the library facility. The facility
of library service at doorstep or on the go with such type of kiosks would increase the number of
library users. Kiosks would continuously evaluate as a substitute of the mobile technology for
the users on the move. Despite the awareness among the users would low about the potential
benefits of the kiosk and service it could offer, hence the promotional strategies and awareness
among the users about its user should also be created.
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