Libraries today are more agile and responsive than ever. From late-night student needs to remote outreach and unstaffed locations, access is no longer tied to buildings or business hours, and that’s exactly where Meescan comes in.
Whether you’re extending services without increasing staff, operating pop-up locations, or reimagining your branch layout, Meescan supports libraries to deliver smooth, independent borrowing experiences wherever they’re needed.
In this post, we explore how real libraries are using Meescan to expand their reach, better serve their communities, and meet patrons where they are.
Satellite pick-up & drop-off locations
Getting to the main library isn’t always practical. Many libraries are creating satellite spots, smaller or more convenient locations that act as extensions of the library system. These may be on campuses, in partner buildings, or across town, offering easier access to borrowing and returns.
Using Meescan kiosks or the mobile self-checkout app, these locations provide full borrowing services without extensive infrastructure. Geolocation via Bluetooth ensures patrons are in the right place, creating a seamless experience. It’s a smart, efficient way to expand reach without adding operational complexity.
University of Manitoba
The University of Manitoba has integrated Meescan across its library system, including satellite locations at partner colleges. There, users can borrow items using Meescan kiosks or the mobile app.
They’ve also implemented fully unstaffed libraries to enhance accessibility:
This flexible model keeps borrowing accessible and allows staff to focus their time where it’s needed most.
“We have two completely unstaffed libraries with only Meescan kiosks in them. All other locations also use Meescan during unstaffed hours when libraries are open as a study hall only.”
– Allison Erhardt, Library Systems Specialist
This flexible model keeps borrowing accessible and allows staff to focus their time where it’s needed most.
Unstaffed library branches
Unstaffed branches enable libraries to significantly extend access hours beyond standard times, making them ideal for patrons with busy or irregular schedules. Meescan enables these services through a user-friendly interface—both kiosk and mobile—that supports independent borrowing and returns.
Wilmington Public Library
Meescan has helped the library by allowing it to offer fully unstaffed service points. In these secure, self-service locations, patrons can check out materials independently, even when no staff are present.
They have adopted the concept of flexible access by establishing secure, unstaffed locations in collaboration with Meescan. These branches operate beyond regular staffed hours, using our kiosks to deliver a full self-checkout experience with no extra staffing required.
With Meescan, the library extends access to more users, more often, supporting their community with flexibility and care. The result? More flexibility, more access, and more hours without requiring more personnel.
24/7 access at academic libraries
Many academic libraries remain open late or operate around the clock. With Meescan, students can borrow resources anytime, from finals week marathons to early morning study sessions, without waiting for library staff or the library to “open.”
In a conversation with one North American partner, they shared that Meescan is used at nine different locations across their campus. Some areas remain open 24/7, even while unstaffed, showing how Meescan bridges access gaps, especially in multi-site academic environments open around the clock.
As you’ve seen, libraries are expanding physical access like never before, with satellite spots, extended hours, and unstaffed branches. But that’s just one part of the story.
In Part 2, we’ll explore how libraries are taking Meescan on the move, from bookmobiles to special libraries in retirement communities, and adapting self-checkout to serve every kind of space.