SALTO Systems

The new extension to the John Paul II Library at the National University of Ireland, Maynooth, has been secured with radio-frequency identification (RFID) access control products supplied by SALTO Systems.

Situated 25km west of Dublin, the National University of Ireland Maynooth is a vibrant, rapidly expanding centre of higher education with more than 8,800 students. The university has three faculties – Arts, Celtic Studies & Philosophy; Social Sciences and Science & Engineering, which offer programmes from undergraduate to doctorate levels in a range of disciplines including the traditional humanities, music, education, media studies, psychology, basic sciences, social sciences, computer and electronic engineering.

This prestigious project is located to the East of the existing John Paul II Library on the south campus and forms a central part of the University’s development and expansion plans. The new 6,200 sqm extension is linked to the main library building with a full height atrium and has created a total over 10,000 sqm of library space, and also provided a 216% increase in seating capacity, a 130% increase in book capacity and a more than 280% increase in computer availability. Other features include a range of study spaces, a special collections facility, a dedicated postgraduate and researcher's room and a purpose built exhibitions area.

To handle security into and within the building, the National University of Ireland has deployed the latest in contactless access control systems from SALTO Systems and fitted them to turnstiles, internal and external doors.
Stephen Foley from Doorware Ltd, SALTO’s country distributor in Ireland that carried out the installation, comments “We fitted a range of RFID products from SALTO’s XS4 range including E9450 handle sets in a smart and practical stainless steel finish, as well as double sided units, gateways, controllers, readers and keypads.

Smart, secure and innovative, the XS4’s smart ID cards build up 'on-card' audit trails giving the University complete control over access and the ability to see who accessed what door, where and when. Cards can be programmed to allow access to specific rooms or areas within the library for selected periods only, with the doors auto locking at pre-specified times if required. And if card security is breached due to the loss or theft of a card, it can be instantly deleted without the need or cost of rekeying or changing locks – saving the University time and money.”

Mary Antonesia of the National University of Ireland, Maynooth, says “Our new SALTO access control system gives us security that is reliable and dependable, enabling us to obtain the maximum benefit from the technology for our new library extension while simultaneously providing a secure environment for both students and staff.”