Safety Harbor – The Safety Harbor Public Library has really gone high tech. The Library is one of the first in the country to open “a virtual satellite branch” according to Library Director Lana Bullian. A wall mounted computer kiosk from Advanced Kiosks at the Safety Harbor Community Center brings everything in the library’s catalog to community center visitors.
It provides them with access to any book available at the library from the Pinellas County Library Cooperative, Bullian said. A touch screen allows anyone to quickly and easily browse the library’s database for books, movies, and other materials.
“The Library is always looking for new ways to bring our services to community residents” Bullian said. The Kiosk will help bring services to another part of town, according to Bullian. Many people visit the community center and can save time by
Safety Harbor Library Opens virtual satellite branch. (Reprinted from Sun Coast News by Mark S. Schantz)
Next News Letter: Kaiser Permanente and the Visitors Interface.
looking for a book and materials they want or just by browsing our catalog” she said.
“Were excited about this technology and happy to be a front runner in the county when it comes to using technology in new ways.” The Kiosk is unmanned and therefore does not impact the Library staff. We also would like to congratulate Ms. Bullian on her award of the Annual Future of the Region Award. There were 43 projects entered in this year’s competition. This award was given by the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council. “I was very happy working with Advanced Kiosks. The response time for my questions was excellent and the technical assistance in working with our city’s IS Department was great. I also was impressed with our ability to retrieve statistics remotely from the kiosk. This has been very helpful.” Lana Bullian, Director Safety Harbor.
“Were excited about this technology and happy to be a front runner in the county when it comes to using technology in new ways.” The Kiosk is unmanned and therefore does not impact the Library staff. We also would like to congratulate Ms. Bullian on her award of the Annual Future of the Region Award. There were 43 projects entered in this year’s competition. This award was given by the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council. “I was very happy working with Advanced Kiosks. The response time for my questions was excellent and the technical assistance in working with our city’s IS Department was great. I also was impressed with our ability to retrieve statistics remotely from the kiosk. This has been very helpful.” Lana Bullian, Director Safety Harbor.
The Customer
The Vineyard Community Church of Cincinnati has been called one of the most technologically advanced churches in the United States. Each week over 6,000 people attend services and the Vineyard uses technology to help with everything from checking in children for services to printing name tags for events. “We use the kiosks and the related technology to do a great deal; especially tracking children thus helping families feel secure in knowing that their children are safe here” said Connie Neckers, Associate Director of IT. The Vineyard is also one of a few churches that have their own IT department and writes much of their own software. From kiosk interfaces for child check-in registration to viewing one of their services on the web, it is all done at the Vineyard’s IT department.
The Challenge
Starting early in 2007, the Children’s ministry had grown to the point that continuing to use desktop computers for child check-in and event registration was no longer sufficient. The computers took up too much valuable floor space creating a significant traffic congestion problem. Using a keyboard and mouse was inconvenient as it meant people had to shuffle kids on their hips and put down their personal items to free up both hands for registration (resulting in long wait lines). Computer settings were sometimes being changed inadvertently. All of these issues contributed to an inefficient registration system which needed revamping.
The Vineyard Community Church of Cincinnati has been called one of the most technologically advanced churches in the United States. Each week over 6,000 people attend services and the Vineyard uses technology to help with everything from checking in children for services to printing name tags for events. “We use the kiosks and the related technology to do a great deal; especially tracking children thus helping families feel secure in knowing that their children are safe here” said Connie Neckers, Associate Director of IT. The Vineyard is also one of a few churches that have their own IT department and writes much of their own software. From kiosk interfaces for child check-in registration to viewing one of their services on the web, it is all done at the Vineyard’s IT department.
The Challenge
Starting early in 2007, the Children’s ministry had grown to the point that continuing to use desktop computers for child check-in and event registration was no longer sufficient. The computers took up too much valuable floor space creating a significant traffic congestion problem. Using a keyboard and mouse was inconvenient as it meant people had to shuffle kids on their hips and put down their personal items to free up both hands for registration (resulting in long wait lines). Computer settings were sometimes being changed inadvertently. All of these issues contributed to an inefficient registration system which needed revamping.
The Solution
After researching available options, the Vineyard Church contacted Advanced Kiosks and purchased 12 Compact Power kiosks. These wall mounted stainless steel units take up no floor space, provide ease of use via the touch screen monitor, provide an area for a poster for easy identification and are virtually maintenance free. The kiosks’ primary use is for child check-in which provides class rosters for Sunday school teachers and identifies who will be picking the child up. For the teenagers, the kiosks are used to issue name tags which provide the name of their school, grade, and a special icon to identify the new kids. This information helps to break down walls and start conversations.
The Result
No long lines, freed-up floor space, ease of use, convenience, added security and peace of mind for both the Vineyard church, parents and support staff. In anticipation of opening their new teen center in April of 2008, the Vineyard staff purchased 12 FreeStanding kiosks with the Printer and Wheel options, to be used for student check-in. This floor-standing model fit well with the open design of the building and the expected traffic flow. The wheel option was specifically designed by Advanced Kiosks to address the Church’s need to be able to easily move the kiosks around so that they could be stored when not in use. This portability allows the main lobbies in the teen center to be used for multiple purposes. “We really like the kiosks; they work great and are very easy to move around. We have had them for 5 months and have not had any problems with them”. Connie Neckers, Associate Director of IT.
No long lines, freed-up floor space, ease of use, convenience, added security and peace of mind for both the Vineyard church, parents and support staff. In anticipation of opening their new teen center in April of 2008, the Vineyard staff purchased 12 FreeStanding kiosks with the Printer and Wheel options, to be used for student check-in. This floor-standing model fit well with the open design of the building and the expected traffic flow. The wheel option was specifically designed by Advanced Kiosks to address the Church’s need to be able to easily move the kiosks around so that they could be stored when not in use. This portability allows the main lobbies in the teen center to be used for multiple purposes. “We really like the kiosks; they work great and are very easy to move around. We have had them for 5 months and have not had any problems with them”. Connie Neckers, Associate Director of IT.
New Customers
Detroit Zoo Lancaster Barns Supertition Springs Church Sarasota Department of HealthWe worked with Pastor Mark Holeman to
obtain financing for their kiosks. These kiosks
are used for Fellowship One Web-based Church
Management Software. “Thanks Howard. You
offer amazing service. I appreciate the focus to help
us get our new check-in system off the ground and
running quickly”. Mark Holeman the Pastor of
Strategic Development, Superstition Springs Church.
Keywords: The Vineyard Community Church, Safety Harbor Library Fellowship One
Technologies. Superstition Springs Church
Technologies. Superstition Springs Church
