North Yorkshire County Council has chosen Capita to provide its countywide library management system, helping the local authority reduce costs, while providing users with a more efficient service.
Capita will provide the council with its cloud-based Chorus LMS platform rather than using the libraries' existing hardware, which was expensive to run because of the maintenance needed. Additionally, moving to the cloud means staff can be re-deployed to improve customer experience rather than having to fix on-premise systems when they go wrong.
The council will also start using Capita's web-based staff interface Soprano, which allows library personnel to access real-time access to the LMS on any web-enabled device, including carrying out tasks such as stock checking, issuing or returning books, making reservations for customers and answering enquiries from library users.
North Yorkshire County Council has used Capita for a number of projects in the past, although this particular aspect of the council was chosen via tender.
Councillor Chris Metcalfe, executive member for Libraries, said: “Since 2003 Capita has helped us deliver a library service that really benefits residents. It was clear from the competitive tender that Capita was best placed to further improve the Council’s libraries and help deliver the savings that are required over the next five years.”
Other ways the council will save costs by using to the cloud with Capita include integration with its finance systems, meaning customers can pay fines and fees for services instantly online.
Karen Reece, head of libraries at Capita’s software services business, said: “We are very proud to have been re-appointed by North Yorkshire County Council. It is testament to the service we have provided over the last 12 years and the confidence the Council has in our ability to generate savings and further improve the region’s library services going forward.”
