Public library booking systems, netloan PC booking

The right technology and software partner are fundamental to delivering library services to best effect. Lorensbergs helps each library to get the most out of their PC estate and dramatically reduces the burden of its administration. For library users, the netloan PC booking system ensures PCs, Wi-Fi and printing services are easily accessible with availability optimised. In addition, library room and event bookings are efficiently managed in the connect2 online booking solution.

Processes between users, resources and staff have been carefully designed. They provide a positive experience of visiting and using the library, and self-service options are always available.

Solutions

PC Booking

Print management

Wi-Fi authentication

Self-service library kiosks

Statistics and reporting

Wireless printing

PC Booking

Computers in libraries are often in high demand. Managing fair access of PCs, often across multiple locations, can be a big challenge for public libraries. Netloan PC booking is designed to resolve the day-to-day challenges faced by public library staff as they look to stretch resources to meet user need.

Reservations and access to PCs is made easy with the library retaining control of number and length of sessions by user. Meanwhile, users can book PC access online or login for a session in the library using their usual library user credentials to track access. Find out more about netloan PC booking for public libraries.

Print management

Netloan provides an integrated print payment and release system for a simple combined solution to your PC and print services. With netloan, users can preview and determine print job specifications before agreeing to a price to proceed. Print jobs are easily released, redirected or reprinted, supporting positive, quick customer transactions.

For self-service print payment and release, see the payment kiosk solution below.

Now available: netloan Wi-Fi print enables library users to print from mobiles, tablets and laptops!!

netloan software on a mobile in a library

Wi-Fi authentication

As Wi-Fi continues to grow in importance as a key library service, make sure your library remains in control and gets recognition for facilitating access. With the netloan Wi-Fi module, all users are authenticated via the LMS, so usage can be tracked and reported upon, and new memberships encouraged.

Netloan Wi-Fi module’s tracking and reporting ensures individual access can be pinpointed whenever necessary. In addition, administrators can set certain controls for length and frequency of Wi-Fi sessions available, and they can also use reports for demographic information on its usage by site.

Self-service library kiosks

Payment transactions for library users, either for print jobs or PC sessions, are possible via self-service payment kiosks. This frees up staff from routine admin tasks and provides a modern streamlined service.

The kiosks are also a great way to enable library guests to self-register for temporary access to library services, including PCs and Wi-Fi (library policy permitting!). They also cut down on staff cash handling, and allow library volunteers to assist with transactions without needing library system access.

For further information on library kiosks, go to the kiosk solution page.

Statistics and reporting

Lorensbergs’ resource booking and tracking solutions offer powerful management information and satisfy CIPFA requirements on PC usage.

Insight is gained from who and how many are accessing library Wi-Fi, for return on investment analysis of library facilities. It also enables libraries to meet the requirements of the Digital Economy Act 2010.

Wireless printing

Netloan Wi-Fi print meets customer needs for more versatile printing capability in the library. With this netloan module, customers can print to library printers from their smartphones, tablets and laptops. Apple, Android and Windows devices are all supported.

The wireless printing capability is fully integrated into netloan administrative tools, so it's quick and easy to assist customers using this service in the library. Self-service payment and release of wireless print jobs is also fully supported. Further information on this netloan solution is available here.

Case Studies and Research

Major library projects and netloan

This review explores a number of recent major library projects involving Lorensbergs' netloan PC booking software customers. Following these projects, use of library services has increased in response to the modern and inviting facilities provided. They have also created some inspiring new urban landmarks. In each case, the digital offer developed and provided by these libraries is a core part of services – an essential element that we are committed to supporting and developing through our netloan portfolio.

Netloan case study: PC booking and Wi-Fi access at Wakefield Libraries

Wakefield District Council in West Yorkshire has 13 local libraries, with a total of 260 public access PCs on the People’s Network. The method for managing PC access and data reporting required improvement across the service. Sue Eustace, Assistant Library Manager, liaised with Lorensbergs regarding the library service moving to netloan for PC session management and Wi-Fi authentication.

Case study: Manchester Central Library and netloan PC booking

A year after the reopening of Manchester Central Library following a massive renovation project, the City Council's ICT Community Applications and Library Customer Service managers discuss how they worked with Lorensbergs throughout the project. They also cover how netloan PC booking supports their management of public computer access across all district library sites.

Research: Universal Credit research white paper

Public libraries predict significant increases in demands on staff time and public access computers following Universal Credit roll out, according to new findings from lorensbergs, the market leader in PC booking and session management software…

Research: Technology in Libraries: New Whitepaper

This whitepaper reviews technology provision across UK public library authorities. It focuses on People’s Network PCs, Wi-Fi and wireless printing, considers the operating systems and deployment methods in place, and compares ICT resourcing structures…

Paul Bell

Libraries IT Manager,
North Tyneside libraries

netloan does a lot. We started from the point of ‘this is what we’d like it to do, can it do it?’ netloan did exactly what we wanted it to do… The lorensbergs support team also come highly recommended, it’s been a very good experience all round.

Steve Baker

Principal Librarian,
Information and Systems, Nottinghamshire County Council

The solution that was developed to enable libraries to offer public access to computers, including the use of Netloan, has proven so successful that it has been used as the default model for other parts of the council who need to provide computer access to members of the public.

Andrew Jackson

ICT Team Lead,
Community Applications at Manchester City Council

Lorensbergs offered us advice in how to deliver exactly the solution we wanted – a centrally managed solution with better control and the ability to automatically deploy software and anti-virus updates. Netloan supports this model to use new improved technologies. We now aspire to roll out the same PC deployment model to our other library sites.

Find Out More

The Lorensbergs team are ready to answer your questions and provide you with additional information.

PC Booking

Print management

Wi-Fi authentication

Self-service library kiosks

Statistics and reporting

Wireless printing

Major library projects and netloan

Netloan case study: PC booking and Wi-Fi access at Wakefield Libraries

Case study: Manchester Central Library and netloan PC booking

Research: Universal Credit research white paper

Research: Technology in Libraries: New Whitepaper

Paul Bell

Steve Baker

Andrew Jackson

Reset. Restart: Libraries Play Vital Role in Healing the Economy

Library computers to play important role in economic recovery

Covid-19: Library Support for Safe Reopening

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Enhance your service provision - Solutions for public libraries

Solutions

PC Booking

Print management

Wi-Fi authentication

Self-service library kiosks

Statistics and reporting

Wireless printing

PC Booking

Print management

Wi-Fi authentication

Self-service library kiosks

Statistics and reporting

Wireless printing

Case Studies and Research

Testimonials

Paul Bell

Steve Baker

Andrew Jackson

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