Wokingham

A ‘choice’ revolution will soon take place in the Wokingham district’s libraries, when a new, advanced computerised system called the South East Library Management System (SELMS) is implemented. The result will be a huge increase in the number of books, DVDs and other items available and it will be much easier to borrow and return items from libraries not in the immediate area.

SELMS is the culmination of over a year’s work by a consortium led by Wokingham District Council, including the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, Brighton and Hove Council, Buckinghamshire County Council, Milton Keynes Council and West Berkshire Council.

Customers will be able to borrow items and return them to any library in the SELMS consortium, so if they are visiting or working in another area, or on holiday, they will be able to use their existing library card just as if they are at home.

Contracts are now being signed by the SELMS consortium and the system will go live in spring 2007, starting with libraries in the Wokingham district, followed by the other authorities.

Chris Hamilton, corporate head of cultural services and development, said: “We developed SELMS to make libraries easier for everyone, to offer exciting new features and reduce costs at the same time. We have incorporated ideas from customers and staff and the views of users of all ages who participated in an online survey. The resulting increase in choice and flexibility really does revolutionise what we offer.

“This project is the result of extensive cooperation between the six authorities to deliver a system that will improve choice and increase service, whilst also reducing costs. SELMS is a model of excellence that, once fully proven, could well be adopted elsewhere across the country.”

Cllr Philip Mirfin, champion for Wokingham information and communications technology, said: “The SELMS initiative shows how dynamic councils can be, going one step further to adapt technology to meet people’s real needs.”

Cllr Dianne King, executive member for community development, concluded: “Libraries are more than just places where people borrow books, but also centres of the community and this new initiative should add flexibility to their use.”

Wokingham District Council