Tritius is a modern library system developed in the Czech Republic, built on over 30 years of experience. Tritius is currently used by approximately 500 larger libraries and a total of around 2,500 institutions in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The system includes approximately 25 modules covering library management, cataloging, reader management, and lending processes. The system also includes a module for digital library cards, which was created in cooperation with PassMachine.

Libraries have long been seeking a way to modernize communication with readers and simplify card management. Paper or plastic cards incur higher production costs, complicated distribution, and limited update options.

Tritius sought a solution that would:

The answer to these challenges was PassMachine digital cards, which are stored directly in Apple and Google Wallet, require no development or application on the part of the Tritius system or libraries, and are ready for immediate use. Furthermore, the cards do not require mobile data or Wi-Fi for verification. They are available at all times.

The cooperation between Tritius and PassMachine began approximately three years ago. The basic implementation was completed within three months, followed by further development of functionalities.

Pilot operation was launched at the Regional Library of Karlovy Vary. Subsequently, other libraries began to join – during the first year, it was about 5 to 6 institutions, including one library in Slovakia. Today, nearly 60 libraries in the Czech Republic and Slovakia use digital cards.

Digital cards are fully integrated directly into the Tritius system as one of its modules, enabling libraries to digitize cards without obstacles and almost instantly.

Libraries can:

Digital library cards are not just a replacement for plastic cards, but also open up further possibilities for libraries to work with readers. The potential for the future lies, for example, in onboarding scenarios for new readers, who can obtain a digital card faster and more conveniently directly upon registration.

The solution also includes the ability to work with both the front and back of the digital card, allowing libraries to display not only identification data but also additional information, instructions, or other content for readers.

Each library can currently use up to two types of digital cards according to its needs.

A total of almost 33,000 digital cards have been issued through the system, of which over 22,000 are actively used by readers. The high rate of card saving, averaging 72%, but commonly reaching up to 90% in larger libraries, shows that there is great interest in digital cards and readers are increasingly choosing the convenience of having cards in their mobile wallets. Digital cards are currently used by approximately 10% of libraries working with the Tritius system.

Overall, digital cards in the Tritius system are available in 35 cities across all regions in the Czech Republic. The most participating libraries are in the South Moravian, Central Bohemian, and Ústí nad Labem regions. In Slovakia, digital cards are used in 9 cities and a total of 15 libraries.

Tritius consistently invests in modernizing library standards and the continuous development of the system. Alongside RDA and MARC21 standards, support for BIBFRAME, a modern cataloging standard originating from the Library of Congress environment in the USA, is also being prepared.

An important milestone was also the announcement by the National Library of the Czech Republic, which selected Tritius as the future supplier of its new National Authorities system. This system serves, among other things, to prevent duplicate names and represents key infrastructure from which libraries throughout the Czech Republic draw.

The cooperation between Tritius and PassMachine demonstrates that even the traditional library segment can successfully transition to modern digital solutions. By integrating digital library cards, libraries have gained a simple tool for more modern communication with readers and more convenient card management – without the need to change their existing processes.