Self-Checkout: Mobile app and kiosks

The University of Saskatchewan Library uses MeeScan's self-checkout kiosks and mobile application. The kiosks and app allow you to checkout and renew library items, as well as view other library account information.

On this page

Using the USask Library Self-Checkout mobile app

Install
  1. Install the app from the Play Store or Apple App Store:
    1. Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ca.bintec.meescan.c12452699
    2. iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/usask-library-self-checkout/id6806408985
  2. Allow the app to access your device's camera (to scan barcodes). Without access to your device's camera, you will not be able to scan the barcode of items you want to checkout, you will have to enter them manually.
  3. Allow the app to access your device's geolocation, i.e., GPS (to verify you are inside the library building for checkouts). Without access to your device's geolocation, checking-out items will not work.
  4. The app may also ask for access to Bluetooth. This is used along with GPS to help pinpoint your location. Without Bluetooth, the app may have reduced location accuracy which could impact functionality. Access to your device's Bluetooth is optional, but recommended.

Login

You have multiple options for logging into the app:

  1. Manually enter your NSID and password OR
  2. Scan your campus ID card or library card barcode OR
  3. Manually enter your campus ID card or library card barcode

Once you are logged in, you can select the green button at the bottom to get started. Three options are presented:

  1. Check Out
    • This option will only be active if you are inside a USask Library location
    • Using your phone camera, scan the barcode(s) of the item(s) you would like to borrow. If the barcode will not scan, you can type it in by clicking on the keyboard icon.
    • Barcodes will be on the back cover of the book, or on the inside of the back cover of the book.
    • NOTE: do not select Finish until you are done scanning the barcodes of all the items you want to checkout.
    • Tap Finish when you are done scanning items.
    • Your due date receipt is emailed to your USask email address OR the email you provided the USask Library if you do not have a USask email.
  2. Account: Shows how many items currently checked out, as well as any fines.
    • If you see a a red circle with a white X, this means you are not within a library location, so you cannot check out items. This red circle will turn green with a white check mark once you are inside a USask Library location.
    • Switch Patron: This allows another user to login and use your app. THIS IS NOT RECOMMENDED due to potentially checking out books using the wrong user's login. 
    • Log Out: Click here to log out of the app.
  3. My Library: Takes you to the USask Library website.

Using the self-checkout kiosks

The barcode scanner is at the bottom of self-checkout kiosk frame.

  1. Bring your library items to the kiosk. 
  2. Tap the screen and enter your NSID and password OR scan your library/student/staff card.
  3. Once you are logged in, there are three options:
    1. Check Out > choose this to scan the barcode of your items to check them out to your account.
    2. Account > click here to see the number of items you already have checked out and your fines
    3. My Library > this will take you to the University of Saskatchewan Library website.
  4. Check out
    1. An active image of how to scan book barcodes is presented. Click the X in the top right corner of the image to close it.
    2. Start scanning the barcode of your first item. Book boarcodes are located on the back cover or inside the back cover.
    3. Do not select Finnish until you have scanned all the items you would like to checkout. Once you have completed successfully scanning the barcodes of all your items > select the green Finnish button.
    4. You will be emailed a due date receipt. The due date receipt will be emailed to your USask email address if you have one. If you do not, the receipt will go to the email you provided the library when getting your library card/setting up your library account. 
Self-checkout  FAQs
The app will not recognize that I am in a USask Library.

When you download the MeeScan self-checkout app, you are asked to allow access to your phone's geolocation (GPS) and bluetooth in order for the app to determine that you are within a library location. Even though you may have agreed to this, you may need to adjust your settings again.

  1. Go into your settings and make sure your location and bluetooth is on. You may have said "yes" to this when setting up the app, but sometimes you have to manually redo this in your phone's settings.
  2. MeeScan provides a location troubleshooting guide for Android users: https://meescan.com/android-gps/
    • According to the guide, the basics steps are the same for iPhone.
I've scanned the barcode of an item I do not want to check out. How do I get it off my account?

Once a barcode has been scanned using the app, there is no way to remove it. Once scanned, it is checked out to you. You will have to take the item and return it to the USask Library. All locations have a return bin near their Library Services desk, and all libraries have a bin to return items after hours.

There is no wifi connection in this part of the library.

There are known "dead spots" in some places in USask Library locations. Consider taking your items to a better spot in the library and check them out where there is a better wifi connection.

There is more than one barcode, which one do I scan?

USask Library barcodes are located at the top of the back cover, or at the top inside the back cover. They look like this:

Sometimes, books will have an ISBN barcode, usually at the bottom of the back cover. Do not use these barcodes, they will not work.

My phone won't scan a barcode.
  1. Using the barcode reader requires good lighting. You may need to move to a location in the library that has better lighting. You can also turn on your phone flashlight by clicking on the flashlight icon within the scanning box.
  2. If a barcode(s) will not scan, click on the keyboard icon within the scanning box. This allows you type in the barcode number. If typing in a barcode, include any + signs.
An item I want will not checkout.

Some library items do not circulate and, therefore, cannot be checked out. For example, Reference items are not available for checkout. A message will appear indicating an item is not available for checkout if you scan the barcode of any of these items.

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