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The early 1990s saw the emergence of automated self‐service issue units in the UK. Since then we have seen the introduction of second and third generation systems, the launch of self‐return facilities and their adoption for use in both public and academic libraries. This paper re‐examines the position of self‐issue and return towards the end of the decade and century based on the literature and research conducted by Loughborough University. It describes the main self‐issue/return systems available, lists the benefits and opportunities of implementing them and discusses considerations such as objectives, costs, security, location of equipment, functionality and design of systems, and the effect self‐issue/return has on users and staff.

This paper aims to compare the effectiveness of the theory of planned behavior (TPB), the technology acceptance model (TAM) and the integrated TPB/TAM model to understand acceptance of library self‐issue and return systems.

The study data come from a non‐random convenience sample of 266 undergraduate students, age 18‐25. A confirmatory factor analysis was conducted using AMOS 17.0 to identify causal relationships.

Findings show that the TPB/TAM integrated model is superior to the TPB and the TAM alone in terms of the ability to explain user acceptance of self‐issue and return systems. Although subjective norm, perceived behavioral control and perceived usefulness have direct positive relationships to behavioral intention to use self‐issue and return systems, attitude plays the most important role in explaining the intention to use self‐issue and return systems.

The study assesses self‐reported behavioral intention as part of the survey and, as a result, could have introduced inaccuracies.

Librarians should reinforce the efficiency of self‐issue and return systems to influence customers' willingness to use such systems.

Little has been written on the intention to use self‐issue and return systems. The three models are novel and usable in predicting the intention of self‐issue and return systems, and the findings may also be generally applicable to librarians, users, and information systems professionals.

The purpose of this paper is to apply expectation-confirmation theory (ECT) and the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) to identify potential determinants of library patrons’ intention to continue using (continuance) self-issue and return systems for borrowing and returning books. The role of continuance is specifically interesting and is well-established in the literature of information systems (ISs) and marketing because continuance is considered to be the central element for the survival of ISs and of self-service technology (SST). However, the role of continuance has been neglected by researchers studying library SST adoption.

A research model integrating the expectation-confirmation model of IS continuance with UTAUT was developed and empirically validated using data obtained from a field survey involving 128 active users of a self-issue and return system at a public library in Taiwan.

Library patrons’ continuance intention was affected by their post-adoption expectation of perceived performance, effort performance and facilitating conditions as well as their satisfaction when using self-issue and return systems. Moreover, a patron satisfaction level was influenced by performance expectancy and confirmation of initial expectations, whereas confirmation had a positive effect on all post-adoption expectations.

This study broadens perspectives on SST adoption behavior in the library context by identifying some factors that influence library patrons’ continuance decisions. Furthermore, the authors verified the applicability and predictability of the theoretical integration of ECT with UTAUT in a diverse setting because the authors sought survey participants outside of the college population.

Self‐service has wide‐ranging implications for the management and delivery of library services. It affects staff and users, system development and integration, library planning and design. This article outlines the essential points to consider before installing self‐issue and/or self‐return services, user reaction and successes (for both staff and user) experienced so far at Information Services, University of Sunderland.

Bradford University Library was the first academic library in the United Kingdom to offer a self‐issue facility to its users. This article updates VINE 92 (September 1993) by tracing the development of the self‐issue facility at Bradford University Library during the last three years. It considers the possible implications for libraries and trends for future development.

Self‐service has many benefits for the borrower and should be considered by librarians everywhere. It can help to provide the means to address the growing demands of the user while so many libraries suffer from the enormous pressures of limited library resources and budgetary constraints. Provides a synopsis of the methods used to achieve success with the self‐service project at the University of Sunderland, approximately costings, and an outline of project achievements and plans for the future.

Self issue facilitates an improvement in the service for the borrower and should be considered carefully by librarians everywhere. It can help to provide the means to address the growing demands of the user whilst so many libraries suffer from the enormous pressures of limited library resources and budgetary constraints. The self issue project at Information Services, University of Sunderland, has identified preparation, publicity, position and persuasion as the four key ‘p’ elements essential for the successful implementation of the service. This paper will provide a synopsis of the methods used to achieve success, a description of self issue machine components and operational procedures. Project achievements and plans for the future are outlined.

To report on the collaborative project between Newcastle University Library and 3M which aimed to increase self‐issue levels using six sigma methodology.

The six‐month long project is outlined and gives an insight into the process improvement methodology called six sigma. An explanation of why we ran the project is given and the Define, Measure, Analyse, Improve, Control (DMAIC) phases of the six sigma are described.

Outlines the long and short term measures which were needed to improve the self‐issue service.

Useful source for other libraries who may wish to improve their self‐issue levels. It is also useful for those who are interested in the use of six sigma in the service sector, more specifically in an academic library.

It was a unique project in that it was the first time 3M had collaborated with a UK academic library on a six sigma project and the first time Newcastle University Library had engaged in this type of process improvement exercise. It shows how in working objectively together both parties improved the self‐issue service in a systematic way.

This paper looks at the implementation of facilities for the issue and renewal of books by users, without the intervention of library staff, provided by McDonnell Douglas through the URICA library system at the request of Bradford University Library. Self‐renewal has proved a success, reducing queues and reducing pressure on staff; but the take‐up of self‐issue has been disappointing. Some of the problems of implementation, and their solutions, are discussed.

The purpose of this study is to systematically examine the existing literature published on the circulation methods used in academic libraries and to discuss a proposed model for the self-check-in and check-out methods using quick response (QR) codes.

A systematic literature review (SLR) provided a complete overview of circulation systems used in academic libraries for the last more than 140 years. Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) method for SLR was used. Several databases such as ProQuest, Emerald, Library and Information Science Abstracts, EBSCO and Google Scholar were searched. Out of 277 papers retrieved in the search, 43 most relevant papers were taken up for the SLR. These were classified into four themes based on the systems of circulation used, namely, manual (5), mechanized (13), automated (5) and networked system (20). Based on the findings of the SLR, a model of circulation system in which QR code technology has been used.

The result of SLR identified 33 systems used in above mentioned four groups. Among this, a large number 48.48% of mechanized systems were found. Each system has limitations either because of devices used or of technology. The present study proposes a QR code-based model at the circulation desk, for which a prototype of Android app has been designed. This would help to initiate the new “self-services” facility to users at the circulation desk.

The proposed model, after its successful implementation, can be adopted by academic libraries. Guidelines and a graphical representation of this study can be used by any researcher for further experimentation.

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first kind of study in which a QR code-based Android app model has been proposed for library circulation records.