Civica draws water from Sandwell

The Spydus system will be available for Sandwell's 197,000 registered borrowers

Software and services firm Civica has bagged a £500,000 contract with Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council and local education provider Sandwell College.

Civica will supply its Spydus library management system, which will be available for Sandwell's 197,000 registered borrowers at 19 libraries and two mobile libraries.

Furthermore, it will be used by the council’s Schools Library Service, at children's centres across the borough and by Sandwell College.

Customers can use the system to access electronic services, with up six libraries also using radio frequency identification (RFID) technology to issue and return books. Renewal options include using the web site and an automated telephone service. Customer communications will be received by email, text and post.

Civica aims to improve the quality and range of services offered to library customers, streamline staff processes, manage stock and integrate the council’s wider IT infrastructure including its finance and CRM systems.

Barry Clark, Sandwell’s principal libraries officer, said: “The Civica Spydus system offers customers an improved service with easy electronic renewal, better search and the ability to customise their view and preferences.

“It will replace our existing library management system, which is outdated, and transform stock management and staff processes at our libraries while fitting with our IT policy of ‘future-proofing' our services.”

Clark added: “Sandwell will soon have a ‘library of the future’ that will help our citizens benefit from all the services libraries offer as a central hub of the community while gaining outstanding customer service.”

The system is due to go live in November, with five libraries with RFID provided by Civica partner, Intellident, going live in April 2010.