Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, April 13, 1991 TAG: 9104130438
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A-5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER MUNICIPAL WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
A regional computerized circulation system will begin operating Tuesday in the 13 libraries in Roanoke, Salem and Roanoke County.
The $950,000 system will enable borrowers to renew books or other materials at any library without having to return to the library where they got them.
The three localities have coordinated planning for the changes, which also will speed up circulation and enable the libraries to keep better track of books.
If borrowers want to determine whether the libraries have a book and whether it is on the shelf or has been checked out, they'll just push a few buttons on a computer terminal to find out.
The computerized system will work like a checkout counter in a grocery store. Each book will have a bar code sticker, just like a can of soup.
Every patron's library card will have a bar code, too.
When a borrower checks out a book, the librarian will wave a wand across the back cover. The book's author, title and call number then will be recorded in the library's computer.
The computer screen will tell the circulation desk how many books the borrower has checked out and whether any are overdue.
The librarians have been busy putting a bar code sticker to the back cover of every book in every library. The switch-over has caused disruptions in library service and forced some libraries to be closed.
About 550,000 books and other items in the three library systems have been bar-coded.
Library officials said people wishing to check out items must have their registration cards updated and bar codes attached to their library cards before materials can be charged to them under the new system.
by CNB