Guelph Public Library (GPL) is a public library system serving the City of Guelph in Canada. Including the main downtown library, there are five branches, plus a bookmobile, GPL strives to educate the public by providing books of various topics to all ages, and by showcasing new technologies such as 3D printers and virtual reality labs.
To update their technology, Andrew Kwan, IT Manager and Jeff Fernandes, System Administrator for GPL at the library’s main branch, decided it was time to move to a virtual desktop infrastructure solution, utilizing the VMware Horizon View software suite. In order to successfully do this with their old USB printers, Andrew and Jeff would have been required to install drivers on every dedicated PC in all six of their locations. They wanted a simpler solution to upgrade their system and improve the overall daily workflow for the library staff. They were already using the Polaris Integrated Library System software and Star Micronics receipt printers, and they decided to stick with the brands they knew. After doing their research, Andrew and Jeff found that Star’s new TSP100IIIWLAN printer was the perfect printer for their library system.
Star Micronics’ TSP100IIIWLAN printer provided a simple solution for GPL to upgrade their system, and efficiently print hold slips, overdue slips, receipts, renewals and more from any of their locations. With the WLAN connectivity, GPL had the flexibility to place the printer anywhere in the library, and were able to reduce the clutter of cables on circulation desks. With no need for reconfiguration or reprogramming on the IT side, GPL was able to get the printer connected and printing receipts in less than an hour. GPL plans to install the TSP100IIIWLAN in all six of their locations and their bookmobile.
Rather than operating individually, all six location’s data operations are now centralized in one data centre, which improved the overall functionality of their library system, and allowed GPL to save on operational costs. Guelph Public Library’s now Virtual Desktop Infrastructure system, with Star’s TSP100IIIWLAN, now operates “100 times faster” than their previous system.
“Guelph Public Library likes to usually have two employees working the bookmobile – one at the front and one at the back – and equip them both with their own receipt printer. With the TSP100III’s convenient WLAN connectivity, we can use one printer in the bookmobile. It’s much easier and faster for both employees. The new solution with the Star printer really improves the overall functionality of the library.” – Andrew Kwan, IT Manager, GPL
