The State Library combines library card with access authorization
The Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin (SBB) is the largest academic university library in Germany and one of the most important libraries in the world. Following extensive renovation of the historic building on Unter den Linden, the library opened on schedule on January 25, 2021.
The Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin has been working with Schomäcker Card Solutions for years. It installed some of the existing turnstile controls that allow access within the other buildings and for different areas. In the course of the conversion project, the turnstiles were also equipped with new hardware and the software was adapted to the new library management system.
“The State Library is a long-standing customer of ours. So it was natural for us to prioritize the project in-house. Our employees were able to solve the problem of the system change at short notice, so that the opening could take place on schedule. We are happy with the State Library about the really successful refurbishment”, explains Ralf Schomäcker, Managing Director of Schomäcker Card Solutions.
myKi as a solution for contactless access
To enter the library area, the turnstile control must be passed. This requires the user card with the contactless transponder chip of the State Library. The reader at the turnstile reads the presented card and receives real-time information from the library management system whether the card is blocked or not. In this way, admission can be granted or denied. As a visual signal, an LED light turns green or red.
This enables SBB to deny access to users who have not paid their user fees, for example, and are therefore barred from the library. Time-consuming checks by staff are no longer necessary and everything is automated and contactless.
“Automated access at the turnstiles allows us to provide authorized persons with contactless access to the book collection area and the reading room. Service staff at the entrance to the reading room are now only required to check bags, freeing up more time for other tasks.
Since access control is automated, book pickup could be offered outside of service hours with further automation of the circulation process,” reports Ms. Janna Brechmacher, IT Staff in the User Services Department, Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin.
Working hand in hand
The library cards used are obtained from Schomäcker Card Solutions and are provided with the SBB layout and electronically with the library number, among other things. The highest level of security, performance and data protection required by the State Library is met by the MIFARE®DESFire chip technology.
(Photos: Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin – PK)