The University of Technology in Sydney, Australia has deployed a robotic delivery system for books in its library that allow easier access to and protection of the tomes.

The library stores its 325,000 books in 12,000 galvanized steel containers and has moved them underground. Instead of hiring more librarians and assistants, the university has deployed six robotic cranes for management and maintenance of the books.

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Radio frequency markers embedded in each book allow the robotic cranes to distinguish between books.

Students can use either of two methods to peruse books. They can either use the "shelf view" option, in which the book is retrieved for a hands-on look, or if they prefer a futuristic approach, browse the book online.

After an order is placed online, the robot scans for the radio frequencies of the item and zooms up and down the five storey library to collect the item.

Use of the robotic system has helped clear more space for the books that are more popular and used often.

"What we've done is select the least well-used books - although they can be quickly retrieved and we've put them in here," said Mal Booth, one of the university's librarians.

"That then opens up the library for other purposes. We don't have to cram them onto the shelves so that the thinner ones are lost amongst the thicker books."

The demand for books has been steady since the system opened in July. The books, however, are still delivered on trolleys by librarians.

"We've had over 600 requests already, they don't have to look for the book, we'll bring it to them - put it on an open shelf so they can just come and collect it," said access services manager Sharlene Scobie.

The university still has a quarter-of-a-million books at the bookcases between its two libraries.

While the popularity of e-books is growing, the university librarian said students prefer the real thing, and in some subjects such as architecture and art, only nine percent has been digitized and made available online.

TagsRobots, Library, university, education, Computers, books, Australia, System