Civica transforms Peterborough City Council Libraries with major efficiency drive  
Richer library lending experience for nearly a million residents

Civica today announces that Peterborough City Council Libraries is to overhaul its back office infrastructure to enhance customer experience and deliver efficiency savings.

Peterborough has opted to implement Civica’s SPYDUS library management service, a total information management solution, for all 12 of its libraries. This includes two mobile units. The new system will streamline lending and administration processes and integrate seamlessly with the council’s wider IT infrastructure, allowing the library computer system to link directly with the council’s finance department and e-payment system.

SPYDUS will enable resource acquisition to be made via the electronic data interchange (EDI) standard.  This will reduce the amount of paperwork required to order and process new book requests and new book orders will also be sent directly to the relevant branch library, rather than a central office.

The council also intends to enhance customer experience by:

• Making it easier to renew book loans simply by contacting the council helpline, rather than a specific library
• Offering a richer browsing experience via the library website and computer points
• Providing a mechanism for library users to be alerted when new library resources are received matching their preferences