"Library RFID upgrade is a Multi Bin System from TechLogic at a cost of $450k. But the reported amount of 724,500 is almost double the cost with markups and the lovely 5% capital improvement cost (sweeping, sweeping, sweeping)."I was in the Library a couple of weeks ago and noticed the self-checkout stand was gone. You know, the one with the "a new printer has been ordered" sign on it that's been dead for at least a year.
I asked a staffer if they'd given up on the station and she said "yes, but we're getting a new system in the Spring." I wonder if there is, coincidentally, a new [self-]checkout system coming in the spring or if the worker bees are metaphysically certain that the bond will pass.
12 comments:
This is same self check out unit that I was told by the former library director (with the then asst. Director in the meeting) would be in their budget that year.
Cost? $100,000. Wonder what that unit shows up as costing in the Bond issue library "estimated cost" numbers? As you mention, they seem to be properly instructed that the BI passage is a foregone conclusion.
The above conversation took place in late 2007. Sorry I left it out.
Well, the self-check out has not been dead for over a year; it has only been a couple of months at them most. I used it exclusively until it gave up the ghost. I was told a new one was expected but did not ask for details or a timeline. Eremita
The librarian I spoke to last week told me that they " hoped to have a new system if all goes well with the bond."
Bloggermouse, I will be happy to explain the proposed RFID system to you if you contact me. There was also a description presented to Council on March 8th, I believe, that would be available via the online recordings of Council meetings.
The cost of the recently removed self-check system was $25,000 ten to fifteen years ago. I expect that was the figure presented for a single unit replacement cost. It was an old machine and the product construction and technology involved which made it difficult for some folks to master hadn't evolved much in the intervening years. Vendor focus was on the newer technology of RFID rather than their older RF or EM systems. Some repairs were made to the self-check machine in the past three years, which did improve the reading of barcodes on library cards and library materials.
It may have seemed as though it was out of order for the past year depending on the timing of your library visits. The self-check machine was worn out and was requiring frequent repairs. Finally a part broke that could not be fixed and would cost thousands to repair. Sign went up and the part was ordered. Before that part was installed the City Council resolved to proceed with a bond election that included the proposed RFID system. It seemed prudent and fiscally responsible at that point in time to put the repair on hold until the citizens made their wishes known in the bond election. If Bond Proposition 3, which includes the RFID program, were approved then the old self-check system would soon be discarded because it's not compatible with any RFID system. Money spent repairing it would seem to be money wasted. Should the RFID program not be approved, repair or replacement of the self-check machine would be in order because the library customers desire it. I apologize to self-check users for the decision to place the repairs on hold and for the inconvenience it imposes on some folks but, again, it seemed to be the most prudent option.
There are two parts to the proposed RFID system for the Richardson Public Library. There is an automated materials handling and sorting system with an estimated cost of $450,000. This system will replace a 40-year-old belt & gravity roller conveyor that is worn out and, even if in good condition, just isn't adequate for the volume it has to handle now. The proposed system will be far quieter and will check in and sort materials after they are put into the book return.
The second part is the core of the RFID system and has an estimated cost of about $238,000. It includes such things as RFID antennas, computer monitors, receipt printers, security gates, software, and the RFID tags. The proposed RFID system does include and expand upon the self-check function.
Steve Benson
Director of Library Services
@SteveBenson -
Thanks for the explanation; nicely done.
I am not confident the bond will pass but I do think the library would benefit greatly from an expanded self-checkout. It is not uncommon for lines to back up to the information desk, even with three worker bees dutifully manning the desk.
I think the local benchmark for self-checkout success is Carrollton Josey Ranch Lake library; that's an astoundingly good setup, even with CD/DVD materials.
Since I've got your attention for the moment, here are some suggestions to make COR Library better:
* ability to receive email rather than phone notification of hold availability
* as long as the notifier is by phone, have it check to see if you've already picked up the hold before it dials. I think it must pick up the notification batch in the A.M. then start dialing. It is common for me to pick up the hold (notified by library elf) and have the dialer call me hours later.
* or, since there is Elf, an ability to turn off hold notification altogether.
* improved "My List" functionality on the website. The system shows you call numbers on all pages except on the My List page, which one might be expected to print out and use as a shopping list for the library. Odd and counterproductive.
That's all I can think of, pre-coffee. Thanks for reading and contributing.
If I may do so, I have another suggestion. That is to check out books the way in which Plano does. Books are scanned (barcodes on the outside of the book ) and one slip is printed naming the books and showing the due date. Quick and easy.
As to Anonymous Apr 20 10:34 AM, I am not sure I would like the one slip with all the books listed as I have to check out for more than one family member and return and check out on multiple dates. I think it would be better for us to have the return date for each book. As usual, different preferences. Eremita
Mr Benson adds some much-needed clarity to the conversation. Thank you, sir.
The other suggestions mentioned here have a lot of merit. Maybe, in addition to posting them here, an email or note to Mr Benson would be helpful to the Library in planning technology changes in future months.
And as you're doing so, ask him about staffing numbers in the Library over the last 10 years, compared to items checked out in the same time frame. You'll probably be surprised that (approximately) the same number of staff are handling many times the checkouts.
The proposed Library system will help the same number of staff handle even more items checked out/in ... and free them to devote more time to other duties ~ helping Library patrons, etc.
I've noted the suggestions made here. Some are possible and easy.
Setting your phone number so that you won't get calls about holds or overdues? A welcome setting if you use Library Elf for notifications - ask the Circulation staff to make this change for you. We also have an option of e-mail notices vs phone notices through our system. We can make this change for individuals but I'd recommend the far more elegant Library Elf.
Call numbers for My Lists? I know it's possible because I've seen it done on other Horizon systems and I've asked for the change before. I'll ask again and push harder.
Receipt printers? We used to have them with our Dynix Classic system but those particular printers didn't work with our Horizon system. As noted, for some folks they are a convenience over individual date due cards in each book and for other folks they are not. All RFID systems I've seen include receipt printers. Without RFID we can still add some form of receipt printer as an option. (Plano will be changing their circulation system. They just contracted for installation of RFID in all their libraries)
Suggestions about library services are welcome and can always be passed to me via my email address -- steve.benson@cor.gov
Annual HAPLR Index for 2010, a library ranking service, was released last week and Richardson Public Library was the top ranked public library among Texas libraries for cities with 50k-100k population. In number of checkouts per hour we were at 302. This is the 29th highest value in the country for libraries of any size and compares to the state average of 33. We are a very busy library. We are a very good library. And, we thank the community for their support that allows us to offer such a well appreciated service.
Steve Benson
Director of Library Services
Again, great input from Mr. Benson. I prefer an open forum like this to email, as it allows other residents to chime in, amplify, correct, or take it in some other direction altogether.
Most of my suggestions are oriented around making the Library more efficient by offloading as much as possible on willing patrons. I want a My List with call numbers so I can pull the books myself and not monopolize a librarian. I want self-checkout so I can do the work myself and not monopolize a librarian. Freeing workers from mundane tasks like that allows them to provide expertise to patrons that need it.
I really do love the RPL; I think it's one of the best I've seen (and I've worked in a couple). Here's what I think RPL does really well:
* excellent staff
* effective hold mechanism
* public internet
* wifi access - this is such a genius move. It keeps those with laptops from increasing the wait for PCs, and decreases the number of workstations needed to handle the internet demand.
* lovely building
* nice supply of DVD/CD media, a real boon in this economic crunch
* keyfobs for checkout
* effective "new acquistions" display
* and apparently the Director willingly engages the public. Good on ya, sir.
Awesome comment thread. Thank you for being so responsive!
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