Top left: The Stokesbury family cuts the ribbon!

Top middle: Tina Panik, Circulation Mgr., helps the Stokesbury children with the self checkout

Top right: Library patron Stuart O’Nan uses the new self checkout machine.

The Avon Free Public Library is first library within the Farmington Valley to install a Self-Checkout station. The self checkout station, which operates with a touch screen monitor and has a receipt printer, was purchased by the Friends of the Avon Library. A ribbon cutting ceremony took place on Friday, February 16, 2007 at 1pm.

The library’s circulation statistics have maintained a steady 2% increase over the last year, with Sunday hours and Children’s Story Hours contributing to the additional circulation. The addition of a Self-Checkout station will give library patrons the opportunity to use a new service that may be integrated on a larger scale into the library’s future expansion plans. Patrons will have ample time to master the new technology and adjust to having receipts for their transactions. During peak busy times, patrons can use the self checkout to eliminate waiting time. Regular staff will be available to assist with the Self-Checkout Station, which is located at the Circulation desk.

Neighboring libraries within the Connecticut Library Consortium, including the Cora J. Belden Library in Rocky Hill, The Lucy Robbins Wells Library in Newington, The Welles Turner Memorial Library in Glastonbury, and the Windsor Library have installed Self-Checkout machines. Many local retailers’ offer Self-Checkout, including Stop & Shop, Big Y, Home Depot, Wal-Mart, Shaw’s, and Lowe’s.