Answer

• Assignment 3: Library Self-Service Kiosk Checkout Process

  The library checkout process is commenced when a customer wants to borrow an item from the library. Since the process is automated, the intervention of a library staff may not be needed. The whole process is designed such that a customer should take at most two minutes once they have finished identifying the item(s) they wish to borrow (Hsiao & Tang, 2015). The library management system and the kiosk system are integrated, enabling the kiosk system to process all customer-related information, like membership grades and payment records, instantly (Wu & Wu, 2019).

  The first stage of the checkout process is to identify the customer. A customer is identified through a unique identification number on the customer’s identity card, which card has a barcode that is readable by the kiosk checkout machine to recognize the customer (Liang, 2018). The customer scans their ID card under the system’s touchscreen then types their PIN using the onscreen keyboard. Once the customer is identified, the system prompts the customer to select the kind of service(s) they would like to undertake out of the variety of services listed on the system. The three main services that appear on the screen are: (i) return of items, (ii) checkout, and (ii) accounts management. Once the customer has selected the checkout service option, the system proceeds to check the customer’s eligibility to borrow an item(s) from the library. This is possible since the checkout system has the ability of accessing the library database which has data regarding customers’ account conditions and borrowing history (Aleksandrov & Dobrolyubova, 2015). At this stage, the system runs a check to determine whether the customer has unpaid fines and/or overdue borrowed item(s). The requirements for one to be allowed to borrow from a library checkout kiosk can be specified by the library management when tailor-making the software that is installed in the kiosk’s machines (Andrews, 2018). For instance, for this paper, the kiosk check-out process should ensure that: (i)a patron may have a maximum of 10 items checked out at any particular time and (ii) a patron may not be allowed to checkout any material if they owe fines of $5 or more. 

  If the system determines that a customer does not meet the threshold for borrowing, for instance has unpaid fines or overdue materials, the system cancels the operation and gives the customer a chance to redeem their eligibility under the account management service (Liang, 2018). The customer can redeem themselves by paying the fines or returning the overdue items or both. Nonetheless, if the customer meets the requirements for borrowing, the system allows the customer to proceed to the next stage where item inspection is executed.

  At this stage, the customer places all the items they want to borrow at the scanning slot or reader pad for verification and confirmation. The reader pad reads the items’ barcodes and identifies the items and generates a list of the items for the customer to review and confirm that the information in the list matches items they have before they checkout of the library (Andrews, 2018). If the number of items selected by the customer is within the threshold, the customer proceeds to leave with the items (Liang, 2018). The customer will not be able to leave the library with an item that has not been processed at the kiosk. To better understand this process, see the flow chart below.

  The library staff could purchase commercial software or develop one for this purpose. Using the commercial software saves resources and time that could be expended during software development, allows the library staff to enjoy the software’s maintenance services from the supplier, and offers several user guidelines for the software, thus, the implementation of the software would be easier (Andrews, 2018). However, commercial software has fewer customization options for the software to meet the library’s specific requirements (Liang, 2018).

  The customized software can be custom-made to meet all the finer details about the library’s customers and items (Andrews, 2018). Conversely, customized software would consume a lot of resources and time to develop and, thus, costlier than commercial software and more time may be lost due to lack of past experience with the same (Liang, 2018).

  To this end, commercial software is better than customized software since it offers extra efficient logistical standpoints. The commercial software comes with some room for customization, thus, would accommodate adjustments that would be desired to meet the library’s requirements.