Library users must have experienced this when going to the library for studying, someone took the seat but no one is in the seat. Everyone must fill out a hard copy registration book and borrow the key at the counter if he/she wants to book the space in the library. If one needs to use the space for a longer time, he/she must return to the counter on the first floor to check if other users booked the next period for this space and fill out the registration sheet again. Librarians must patrol the library regularly to check if the air conditioner and light are off and avoid energy waste. This intangible cost is a burden to the library.
 

The good news is that colleges and universities in Taiwan have begun to use the non-contact digital student ID. This makes the impossible possible for lots of things. NTHU was the first one to built a smart library. It expects to use the smart networking cloud technology to build a space management system of the latest generation. It improves the space booking procedure for the library and reduces the labor and energy consumption effectively. The more important thing is to help students become more responsible and punctual.

 

[Actual cases]

NTHU, NCKU, NSYSU, NCHU, CCU, NDHU, NKUST, AU, NYCU, NYUST, CNU, CYUT, NTTU, NCYU, KMU, NUU, HWSH
 

NTHU Library-Space management system structure diagram

On NTHU campus, students can book the cubicle, audio-visual group room, discussion room, language learning section, learning sharing section and language learning seat via school website and library KIOSK. Students enter the student ID and select the space, date and time they wish to use. On the booking day, they can use their student ID card to open the gate. The system can be set in the way that the space is automatically available 15 minutes later if the one books the space didn't show up.

For the space shared by many people, such as audio-visual group room and discussion room, the system requires other companions to enter their student IDs. Three students need to use the student ID to check-in and open the door. The decibel detector in the discussion room reminds users to keep their voices down and not to disturb readers outside. At the administration side, the thermal detector helps staffs check if there's any user in the library by the time the library closes. This simplifies the library closing procedure.

This NTHU library system is like using the access system in a five-star hotel. A student must insert the ID in the card reader on the wall to activate the power supply. When the user is leaving, the system reminds the user to remove his/her student ID. If the booking session is about to end, the wall-mounted card reader will remind him/her that time is up. The user can use the wall-mounted facility to extend the session if no one books the coming-up session. The system turns off the switch automatically when booking time is up.
導入背景

Unique management of late night study area for punctuality

The seat management system is implemented for self-study area to solve the problem of people who take up the seats are absent. A student must book the seat online and use the card to enter the self-study area and turn on the lamp on the desk. He/she must use the card to leave the self-study area and the lamp will turn off automatically. The seat is available automatically if the student doesn't check-in on time. He/she must book the seat again. This mechanism enhances the seat turnover rate.
 

The self-study area can be separated into several sections to save the energy. Some seats are saved for students to book on-site. student must use his/her student ID to enter the late night study area with reservation and can only turn on the lamp on the booked seat in the late night study area by card.

The administrator can check the using status via web management interface

The administrator can check the using status of all zones via the management system. Administrator can send staff members to check out extraordinary situations when necessary. The administrator can set parameters at the backstage for the summer and winter vacations, holiday and lunch time, extend and reduce the hours for holidays, weekdays, final hours and summer and winter vacations. Students can check the library’s hours when they book the space.