The Sharjah Public Libraries (SPLs), an affiliate of the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), recently launched the ‘Drive-thru Book-return self-service’ in Sharjah Public Library and the regular lending service in Al Dhaid, Kalba, Khorfakkan, Wadi Al Helou and Dibba Al Hisn. This move aligns with its dedication to elevate the infrastructure of the libraries and digitize their administrations.

The self-service station at Sharjah Library operates 24/7, enabling library users to return the borrowed books at any time they want. The Book-return self-service is based upon the Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology, which uses electromagnetic fields to identify the tags attached to books. The tags contain electronically-stored information that is captured by a device that reads and stores the data in library’s database.

Sara Al Marzouqi, Director of SPLs, said: “Launching the book-return self-service aligns with our fully integrated strategic plan aimed at harnessing the world’s most developed smart systems and technologies in the library administration and management sector. Such technologies play a pivotal role to enhance the quality, efficiency and competency of actions. It also facilitates and accelerates the services delivered to library users.”

“This system is distinguishable for many important reasons. Firstly, it is used for the book-return self-service. Secondly, it protects the database of the library. Thirdly, it is used for stock-taking, managing and providing information on the state of the catalogued collections of books via a hand-held portable reader. Finally, the system saves users’ time and efforts during the lending-returning processes,” she added.

Sharjah Public Libraries delivers a spectrum of digital smart services to users. The online portal incorporates the latest smart-systems that provide library users with many services such as automatic registration, access to online catalogues, explore content of books through page previews, and give borrowers the opportunity to extend the borrowing period using their personal accounts. Other digital services include reservation of rooms and processing payments with personal IDs or the new membership cards that incorporate ‘Tahseel’ Smart Receipt System, which cover many transactions.

SPL launched the Digital Library Collection in collaboration with OverDrive, one of the world’s leading digital education platforms. The digital library provides access to 1,200 eBooks and audiobooks that are compatible with mobile phones, tablets and PCs. It is connected to 38,000 libraries and schools across the world through the OverDrive Network.

SPL was founded by the late Sheikh Sultan bin Saqr Al Qasimi in 1925 as his personal private library, with the archive named Al Qasimi Library. It was first located in the courtyard of the Sharjah Fort before being moved to the Sharjah Municipality building. The library was subsequently relocated to Africa Hall, then to the Sharjah Cultural Centre and then to University City.

In May 2011, His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, opened the new library building at the Cultural Palace Roundabout, with the edifice renamed the Public Library. The institution contains over half a million books covering a multitude of genres in a variety of languages.