Transforming Your Library With Technology

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Transforming Your Library With Technology
Lori Bowen AyreALA Annual ConferenceWashington,
DCJune 23, 2007
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Audio File Available

• A downloadable audio file (mp3) of this
  presentation is available at
• http//galecia.com/included/docs/2007/Ayre_Transfo
  rmingTechnology_June23_2007

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Everyone Loves the Library

• 63 of Americans have a library card

• 26 of these 63 have not visited the library in
  the last year

even if they dont actually use it
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Who Uses the Library?

• 90 of library users taking out books have
  incomes between 15K and 35K

Wonder where the others are getting their stuff?
Source http//www.ala.org/ala/ors/reports/KRC_Det
ailed_Slides.pdf
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The book is the library brand. Is that really
helping us?
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Libraries That Really Work

• Take advantage of technology and automation
  wherever possible
• Build creative spaces that are specifically
  designed to work for target groups
• Have a staffing model that makes sense for the
  technology-intensive work we do

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Central Sorting Systems

• Dont just sort
• check in
• recharge
• separate holds
• print holds slips
• route to carts ready to shelve
• route to bins ready to load in trucks

• Savings up to 2 minutes per hold request
• Unscientific ROI calculation system is paid for
  after 210,000 holds are processed

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Automated Check-In

• Automated book drop with 5 bin sorter 100K
• checks in items
• sorts into 5 bins
• prints routing and hold labels as needed
• recharges
• Minimum space needed 8x 8
• Savings 30 secs per circulation

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Sorter with Self Check Kiosks

• Check in / Recharge
• Sort to bin / cart / media cart
• Also acts as payment station for fines

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Automating materials handling is goooood.

• Get items back on the shelf faster
• fewer touches, less taping and labeling
• reduces number of requests made for transfers
  from other libraries

• Biggest savings is in wear and tear on library
  staff bodies
• scanning is evil!
• robots dont have nerves, let them do it
• Over time, automation saves money

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Use Space 'Different'
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Libraries dont just service the long tail.
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Shelving

• High density shelving
• shelve more items per square foot
• publically browseable

Sort of.
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Compact Shelving with ARS

• Items are stored in metal boxes
• Boxes stacked very snugly
• Storage room is temperature and humidity
  controlled
• Automated Retrieval system keeps track of where
  eveything is and pulls appropriate box from
  shelving
• Humans place books in box and take items out of
  boxes

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Costs of Compact Shelving with ARS

• University of Utah evaluated building costs and
  determined it would cost 20/item to shelve in
  public areas
• But only 4/item to store in compact storage with
  automated retrieval system

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Univ. of Chicago compared costs of storage
options

• publically browsable 67 million
• off site, non automated 18 million
• compact shelving with ARS 36 million

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Retrieval time five minutes
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Now we have more space in the library for other
things..
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Create Cool Spaces for Teens

• Group computer tables
• Spaces for raucous gaming tournaments
• Lounges with low slung chair-like things
• Room for creativity

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For the Older Set

• Sunny reading spots
• Click-free zones
• Classic library environment

• Places for games!

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Senior Spaces

• Computers with big fonts and slow mouses
• Newspaper reading area
• More lounging areas with chairs easy to get in
  and out of

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Kids Rooms

• Room for parents and kids to read together
• Special kids games on kid computers
• Accessible books and toys
• Happy, whimsical space

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Adequate Space for Workers
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Convenience can there be TOO much?
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Deliver Stuff

• Requesting items online is convenient.

• Picking up Holds is not convenient.

• Offer Home Delivery as a standard option
• Special delivery for business users (for a fee)
• Buy and drop ship, instead of borrow
• Personal Delivery via Segway

This book is being rushed to you by your
library.....
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Buy It Via the Library
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More Library Outlets

• Mobile library buses with public computers
• Monthly trips to senior centers
• Take the library to communities not served by a
  library
• Kiosks in the shopping malls
• Book dispensers at the airport

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More Book Drops
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Every Library Needs a Strong Technical Staff
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Every Library Deserves a Strong Technical Staff
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The days of the accidental systems
librarianare over.
Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP)  
CompTIA Network Microsoft Certified Systems
Administrator (MCSA) Microsoft Certified
Database Administrator (MCDBA) Cisco CCNA  
Linux Professional Institute (LPI)   PHP 5
Certification CompTIA Linux Certified Novell
Administrator (CNA) CompTIA Linux Cisco CCNP
CompTIA Project Microsoft Certified IT
Professional (MCITP) Master Certified Novell
Engineer (Master CNE) Apple Certified Technical
Coordinator (ACTC) Cisco CCSP Microsoft
Certified Professional Developer (MCPD) CompTIA
Security Novell Certified Linux Professional
(CLP) Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist
(MCTS) Microsoft Certified Desktop Support
Technician (MCDST) CompTIA Linux Microsoft
Certified Solution Developer (MCSD) Microsoft
Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) Microsoft
Office Specialist (MOS) CompTIA A   Certified
Novell Engineer (CNE)
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Library Jobs

• For Librarians
• Programmers
• Website Developers
• Interface specialists
• Usability experts

• For Technology Pros
• Network Engineers
• Desktop Engineers
• Server Administrators
• Technical Support Staff

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Take Control Over the Means of Production
Exploit technology instead of people. Manage our
own networks and websites. Write our own software.

• Books are for use.
• Every reader, her book. Every book, its reader.
• Save the time of the user.
• The library is a growing organism.