Adoption of the system represents an advanced stage of KFU s efforts to automa self-check procedures in its libraries and to link the system with the Integrated Library Solution System, “Symphony”
Al-Ahsaa, KSA, May 2012
Naseej (Arabian Advanced Systems) the pioneer knowledge management corporation in the Middle East, has successfully installed and commenced operation of thefirst electronic device for returning and sorting library books automatically at King Faisal University (KFU), one of the KSA’s biggest and oldest universities. This is a first for the Middle East.
The3M Intelligent Return & Sorter System depends on a device operated by RFID and magnetization technology and a barcode system to fulfill all a library’s requirements. Thanks to this device, students at KFU are now able to return borrowed books at any time by depositing the books in the Intelligent Return & Sorter System, which sorts the books in special boxes according to their book category. It then registers the books in the automated library system and removes them from the student’s account. The student then receives a printed receipt for all returned books, with the time and date shown, after which time the student is no longer considered responsible for the items. The entire process is completed without the help of a librarian.
Eng. Abdullah Al-Turaifi, Vice President of Naseej expressed his delight at the project, saying: “Naseej is proud to have been working with KFU for more than 15 years, providing KFU with multiple research databases in various scientific disciplines, in addition to installing ‘Symphony’ for the automation of library management. This system provides many services, including indexing and automatic borrowing through the university’s e-portal.”
Eng. Al-Turaifi continued: “We are very happy that KFU has once again chosenNaseej, out of several local and international companies, to implement this leading project which is the culmination of KFU s efforts in automating its libraries and linking them with ‘Symphony’. In addition, Naseej was recently chosen to furnish the university’s new library, which will be completed to best international standards in this area.”
The Dean of Library Affairs in the KFU, Dr. Khaled bin Abdullah Ahudab, has expressed his pleasure at the successful adoption of the new technology. He said: “KFU seeks to improve its services provided for students through adopting state-of-the-art technologies. It’s no secret that serving beneficiaries is the objective target of scientific libraries. Libraries provide all the means necessary for information delivery, in addition to offering user-friendly services to beneficiaries. The library has also set a strategic plan to reach worldwide spread in promoting beneficiary services in all fields.”
Dr. Khaled Ahudab continued: “The acquisition of this device, for the first time in the Middle East, has enabled borrowers to return borrowed books automatically, without being restricted to times when library staff are working. The device represents the latest RFID technology. It saves time and effort on the part of library staff in processing and sorting returned books, entering them in the system, and removing them from the borrowers’ accounts.”
He added: “In our quest to embrace this new technology, which we selected after an extensive study, we are seeking to make optimal use of it. The university will proceed on this promising path with the aim of achieving its objective of making the university a distinct global academic center at all levels.”
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