You asked for it and now it’s here–an easier, more intuitive self-checkout screen.
The look is less cluttered and we’ve removed the sometimes-mysterious arrows, in favor of a clearly labeled “enter” button.
The overall feel is more friendly. In fact, the first word you’ll see is “Welcome.”
So the next time you’re at one of Arlington’s public libraries, checkout the improved self-checkout…
We hope it gets you where you want to go even faster than before.
I love the self-checkout machines! (Although I do hope they’re not helping to eliminate jobs …)
One addition that might be helpful? After all items are scanned for check-out, maybe a pop-up box with the message “Did you unlock your DVDs?” could come up? (It seems that some of the libraries still lock the cases, some don’t.)
Still waiting for the option NOT to print the receipt, especially on the type of paper related to cancer in animals.
Hi folks,
The last screen in the checkout process does ask users to remember to unlock their DVD cases. But maybe we can make it a bit more memorable.
As to the option not to print a receipt, we’re working on that. And just like a lot of ATMs now, we’re also trying to give you the option of emailing a “virtual receipt” to yourself. Stay tuned.
And as the question has been asked, we’re been assured by the manufacturer that the self-checkout receipts are printed on safe, recyclable paper.
Thanks for the questions and for supporting Arlington Public Library in its efforts to make technology work for you.
I find the screen background color difficult to read (and boring). Any possibility a future change could be to make the screen more readable and attractive?
I agree with Darlene – any chance the screen could have some color and perhaps some pictures – maybe new arrivals in various genres or announcements? There is a lot of “white space” there that could be used to do something exciting!
For what it’s worth, I am quite happy with a ‘boring’ screen, and lots of white space.
The most important functionality for me when checking out books using the self-service terminals is, well, checking out books.
I am quite happy that the screen is not chock full of extraneous information, like most web pages.
My advice: Keep it simple, and make it is simple to use as possible.
There are some small usability enhancements you could add to the current (much-improved) self-checkout screens.
For example, on the screen pictured above:
I like that this is a ‘welcome’ screen. However, it looks at first glance like the message only applies to the left column. Why not center this welcome message, and the following directions, near the top, and then have the two options clearly separately from each, and directly across from each other, lower down the page? In other words: you are presenting people with two options here. Why not make it more visually clear that you are doing this?
Thanks again for continuing to improve the experience of using the library.
Hi again,
Thanks to all for the comments and suggestions regarding the evolution of our self-checkout machines.
We do incorporate changes quickly when we can but sometimes we have to forward ideas to our vendors and then wait for a response or even an upgrade in software. That can take weeks or even several months.
We always appreciate hearing from you. Thanks for showing such understanding and support for our technical services.
Thank you! Great system. No more lines at checkout.
One small glitch: the “exit” button following a completed transaction instead of “complete” or “print receipt” is confusing because it seems like one is exiting the transaction before its completion.