Transforming Your Library Transforming Your Library With TechnologyWith Technology

Lori Bowen AyreALA Annual Conference

Washington, DCJune 23, 2007

Audio File Available

A downloadable audio file (mp3) of this presentation is available at:

http://galecia.com/included/docs/2007/Ayre_TransformingTechnology_June23_2007

Everyone Loves the Library

• 63% of Americans have a library card

even if they don’t actually use it…

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

Who Uses the Library?

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

Source: http://www.ala.org/ala/ors/reports/KRC_Detailed_Slides.pdf

Wonder where the others are getting their stuff?

The “book” is the library brand. Is that really helping us?

Libraries That Really Work

1. Take advantage of technology and automation wherever possible

2. Build creative spaces that are specifically designed to work for target groups

3. Have a staffing model that makes sense for the technology-intensive work we do

Central Sorting Systems

• Don’t 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

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: 8’x 8’

• Savings: 30 secs per circulation

Sorter with Self Check Kiosks

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

Automating materials handling is goooood….

1. Get items back on the shelf faster• fewer touches, less taping and labeling

• reduces number of requests made for transfers from other libraries

2. Biggest savings is in wear and tear on library staff bodies

• scanning is evil!

• robots don’t have nerves, let them do it

3. Over time, automation saves money

Use Space 'Different'

Libraries don’t just service the long tail….

Shelving

• High density shelving– shelve more items per

square foot– publically browseable

Sort of….

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

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

1. publically browsable $67 million

2. off site, non automated $18 million

3. compact shelving with ARS $36 million

Univ. of Chicago compared costs of storage options:

Retrieval time: five minutes

Now we have more space in the library for other things…..

Create Cool Spaces for Teens• Group computer

tables• Spaces for raucous

gaming tournaments

• Lounges with low slung chair-like

things • Room for creativity

For the Older Set

• Sunny reading spots

• Click-free zones• Classic library

environment

• Places for games!

Senior Spaces

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

Kids Rooms

• Room for parents and kids to read together

• Special kids games on kid computers

• Accessible books and toys

• Happy, whimsical space

Adequate Space for Workers

Convenience – can there be TOO much?

Deliver Stuff

Requesting items online is convenient.

1. Offer Home Delivery as a standard option2. Special delivery for business users (for a

fee)3. Buy and drop ship, instead of borrow4. Personal Delivery via Segway

“This book is being rushed to you by your library..... “

Picking up Holds is not convenient.

Buy It Via the Library

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

More Book Drops

Every Library Needs a

Strong Technical Staff

Every Library Deserves a

Strong Technical Staff

The days of the “accidental” systems librarian

are 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 CertificationCompTIA 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 CCSPMicrosoft 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)

Library Jobs

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

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

Staff

Take Control Over the Means of Production

“Books” are for use.

Every reader, her book. Every book, its reader.

Save the time of the user.

The library is a growing organism.

Exploit technology instead of people.Manage our own networks and websites.

Write our own software.