Dusty books and reference departments filled with countless volumes dating back hundreds of years. Rickety microfiche machines with obsolete parts. This is yesterday’s library. The kind your parents and grandparents remember.
Fast forward to today’s library and you’ll see e-books, kiosks for self-checkout, and lending libraries. Now, patrons can check out everything from a newspaper to a laptop or tablet. Today’s library has embraced technology. They’ve realized the end goal is not getting patrons into the library, it is getting them engaged with the library.
The Modern Library
So, what’s tomorrow’s library looking at today? The answer can be summed up in one word: Voice.
One-third of Americans using natural language for everything from controlling security in their homes to scheduling appointments and dictating emails. Suddenly, voice-based technology is not only the future. It’s the present.
People have become more used to interacting with technology through conversation. Therefore, progressive libraries are looking for ways to capitalize on this trend. The end goal is to drive more usage of resources and engagement with events and programs.
LIBRO is Voice-Based Technology for Libraries
Developed by Indianapolis-based ConverSight.ai, LIBRO is a voice-based library platform. The platform collects data in a library’s catalog and event calendar and allows patrons to engage with the library through conversation.
With Amazon’s Alexa or the LIBRO app, patrons and students have a vast array of options. Additionally, they can check the availability of materials, reserve and cancel books, check library’s hours or upcoming programs, and manage their accounts with their voice.
Libraries using LIBRO can call, text and email patrons. This is useful to remind them when materials are due or to let them know when something needs to be returned. Also, features will continue to grow within the resource as the platform continues to learn from patrons’ activity.
What does all this mean? More engagement, a new way for patrons and students to interact with their library, and new groups taking advantage of the wonderful resource a library is for its community or campus.
Check out LIBRO today at www.conversight.ai/libro. If your library is interested in offering LIBRO, click here to request a demo.
