Getting library books where they’re needed: Kellutin

Library users often borrow books from one library and return them to another. Return locations near transportation hubs or with convenient parking tend to be particularly popular. This leads to imbalances in collections among libraries and strains staff: some libraries have surplus books relative to borrowing demand, while others face shortages. Previously, library staff reported shortages or surplus to other libraries in the region through Teams chats.

Books are also frequently transported between libraries. In the Turku area, as many as 7,000–15,000 books are transported monthly by van to fulfill reservations and balance collections. Until recently, this balancing was largely done based on “gut feeling.”

An intelligent system analyzes and assists

Weasel Software developed Kellutin, an intelligent system designed to assist librarians. Kellutin identifies which returned books should be sent to which library and provides recommendations on books that should be relocated from overcrowded libraries to other branches. The system also allows libraries to log “help requests” for locations where collections have become too sparse.

The project was carried out in collaboration with the Turku City Library at the turn of 2023–2024 and launched in June 2024. The solution is delivered as a tailored SaaS service via Amazon Web Services cloud to ensure availability, flexibility, and security.

Customized adjustments for different libraries

With the introduction of the system, work processes related to collection balancing have become more streamlined and organized, enabling employees to schedule these tasks more effectively. Using Kellutin, libraries can specify the types of materials to balance and tailor their collections to better match their customer base. These more precise balancing requests are expected to reduce the volume of materials requiring transportation.

“Kellutin was implemented after Midsummer 2024, during a time when much of the staff was on vacation, and the libraries were operating on reduced hours. With the arrival of autumn, system usage has increased, and we’ve grown accustomed to having an algorithm as a colleague. The system offers features that provide new insights into our collections, which no other application has made possible. For instance, the so-called ‘block management’ feature offers valuable information on the scope and demand of different collection segments. This has inspired discussions among staff about the collections, and gaps or replenishment needs in the collections are now more visible and easier to address,” says Kaisa Hypén, Service Manager at the Turku City Library.