Transforming Your Library With Technology

1. Transforming Your Library With Technology Lori Bowen AyreALA Annual ConferenceWashington, DCJune 23, 2007

2. Audio File Available A downloadable audio file (mp3) of this presentation is available at: http://galecia.com/included/docs/2007/Ayre_TransformingTechnology_June23_2007

3. 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 don’t actually use it…

4. 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_Detailed_Slides.pdf

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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. Sorter with Self Check Kiosks • Check in / Recharge • Sort to bin / cart / media cart • Also acts as payment station for fines

10. 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 don’t have nerves, let them do it • Over time, automation saves money

11. Use Space 'Different'

12. Libraries don’t just service the long tail….

13. Shelving • High density shelving • shelve more items per square foot • publically browseable Sort of….

14. 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

15. 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

16. Univ. of Chicago compared costs of storage options: • publically browsable $67 million • off site, non automated $18 million • compact shelving with ARS $36 million

17. Retrieval time: five minutes

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

19. Create Cool Spaces for Teens • Group computer tables • Spaces for raucous gaming tournaments • Lounges with low slung chair-like things • Room for creativity

20. For the Older Set • Sunny reading spots • Click-free zones • Classic library environment • Places for games!

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

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

23. Adequate Space for Workers

24. Convenience – can there be TOO much?

25. 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..... “

26. Buy It Via the Library

27. 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

28. More Book Drops

29. Every Library Needs a Strong Technical Staff

30. Every Library Deserves a Strong Technical Staff

31. 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)

32. For Librarians: Programmers Website Developers Interface specialists Usability experts For Technology Pros: Network Engineers Desktop Engineers Server Administrators Technical Support Staff Library Jobs

33. 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.