Maidenhead & Windsor

Reading for (p)leisure takes on a whole new meaning at Windsor and Maidenhead Royal Borough libraries from this week as book lovers enjoy the benefits of browsing the library shelves – from the comfort of their armchairs!!

The new perspective on borrowing is just one of the innovative features of the library service new state-of-the-art computer system which goes live in all borough libraries this week.

Among the main benefits for readers is a new simple-to-use web catalogue for accessing the Windsor and Maidenhead library’s stock catalogue from readers’ own home computers – with images showing what their chosen books look like.

Customers can also set up personalised profiles and receive automatic alerts about new stock that matches their reading interests – as well as receiving notices by email.

The new SPYDUS management system also updates the operation of membership records, loans, renewals and returns, and further improves home-access library services which also include the ability to search for articles from the major daily newspapers and access encyclopaedias and dictionaries.

Cllr Jesse Grey, lead member for Windsor and Maidenhead leisure and cultural services, said: “This is very exciting news for all users of our borough libraries. Being able to look at the library’s book stock from the comfort of one’s own home is a huge advantage – especially for people whose working hours mean it is not easy to get to a library during regular opening hours.

“Any system we can set in place which encourages more people to use our excellent library services has got to be good, and I’m sure this really user-friendly system will help. Also it will improve many of the libraries’ essential operations, meaning that staff can provide an even better, more efficient service to library customers. A real winner all round!”

Readers can access the new web catalogue by visiting www.rbwm.gov.uk/web/library_catalogue.htm. Existing library users can use their old logon details from the previous system – and new users can join online directly from home using the new system. Borough residents can even have their new logon card posted to them.

In implementing the new SPYDUS system, the Royal Borough – in partnership with five other local authorities (Wokingham borough council, Buckinghamshire county council, West Berkshire Council, Brighton and Hove City Council and Milton Keynes Council) - is leading the way in the provision of electronically-delivered library services.

The six-member consortium – known as SELMS (South East Library Management System) – is introducing services based on the SPYDUS system over the next six months. Later in the year Windsor and Maidenhead Royal Borough library customers will be able to access library stock at all six authorities using their one library card.

For further information about the new web catalogue, contact Andrew Lewis, enquiries and e-delivery team leader, on 01628 796592, or visit the online library page at www.rbwm.gov.uk/web/onlinelibrary.htm

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead