ST LogiTrack Pte Ltd was awarded a contract to design, supply, and install an Electronic Library Management System (ELiMS®) for Baulkham Hills Shire Council.

Believed to be the first in Australia, library processes in the four libraries under the council are automated using RFID technology. The four libraries are Baulkham Hills Library, Castle Hill, Carlingford and Dural libraries. Baulkham Hills' libraries circulate about 160,000 books and audio-visual materials to residents in the Baulkham Hills area annually.

Focusing on providing convenience and automation, BHSC's new library management system consists of several ELiMS® components. Multi-Purpose Kiosk enable patrons to borrow and renew book loans all in one station. Instant book return is being achieved with the ELiMS® Book Drop which not only instantaneously cancels the loan once patron drops in the library items, but will also be embedded with security sensors that locks the chute whenever a patron tries to throw in an unauthorized item. The ELiMS® Counter Station allows librarians to perform the borrowing, returning and disarming functions. Using the same technology, the system safeguards the library items with the ELiMS® Security Gantry.

With the new system in place, residents of Baulkham Hills could now access a whole array of books, journals, magazines and AV materials at their own convenience without any help from the library staff who can now focus on providing value-added services such as managing membership, attending to enquiries and helping users locate the library materials of their choice.