Following a successful bid to the Welsh Governments’ Cultural Recovery Grant, Carmarthenshire Libraries selected Lyngsoe LibCabinet and Hublet for the pilot project, choosing the foyer in Cawdor Hall as the ideal self-service location. The products make best use of limited space while maximizing the number of hours the library can operate as they don’t need to be manned at all times.
The Lyngsoe LibCabinets operate much like a vending machine, creating a mini self-service library. This new, automated library service operates in the same way as Newcastle Emlyn’s previous service – new titles are added at the same frequency – with the added benefit of the library being open for longer.
We also introduced Hublet self-service tablets to increase digital inclusion. The Hublet tablets complement the LibCabinets as they are a popular way of accessing library catalogues to order titles that are not immediately available. Customers also use them to access the library’s other digital services, including audio books, e-books, newspapers and magazines.
The new, automated library created a buzz in the community. During the installation, such was the level of interest, passersby knocked on the door to ask what was going on or peeked through the foyer window to catch a glimpse.