High-Tech Checkout System Boosts Library's Circulation Numbers

Since its public debut in November, the new Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) system at the Ela Area Public Library (EAPL) has cost $520,958 to implement. That's $127,042 under the $673,000 budget and self-check circulation has increased by 43 percent from last year.

“The new system is catching on, “ said Mary Beth Campe, executive director, EAPL.

Since July, the EAPL has been in the process of converting their old RFID system to the current one produced by 3M.

“The old system was obsolete, we couldn’t update it because the maker, Checkpoint, had pulled out of the market,” explained Campe.

The new system by 3M features the latest in technology and offers enhancements such as, the ability for patrons to pay for their overdue items with a credit card at each self-check kiosk, check out interlibrary loan materials, and print out, e-mail or decline receipts for returned and checked out items.

“It’s a lot better than it was before and much faster,” said Katherine Stebbins, EAPL patron.

It also features a new sorting system that scans each item and deploys it into a pre-determined bin. Librarians can then distribute the materials to their designated place.

“We don’t have items unaccounted for anymore,” said Patti Paige, circulation department manager. “We have less overdue notices going out because the system is doing its job.”

Previously the old system wasn't catching all materials being returned by patrons and being put back on the shelves. Late notices were going out to those patrons that had returned the materials.

“Now patrons have the option to get a receipt for items they returned and have a record,” explained Paige.

For the system to work, the library had to replace all the old RFID tags on the current materials and was tasked with retagging 210,000 items. EAPL outsourced a staff of six people from Manpower to retag all the items, which took seven weeks.

“It was cost saving and time saving because our regular employees jobs weren’t disrupted with the task of retagging all these items, “explained Campe.

The construction part of the project included removing all the old self-check kiosks, decreasing the size of the circulation desk, creating a room for the sorter, and reconfiguring the drive-up allowing cars to bypass each other.

Construction took about four months and costs came in at $130,133, under the projected $150,000.

“We were just under four months and that is great,” said Campe. “We are very pleased with the outcome.”

Currently there are four self-check kiosks where a part of the old circulation desk used to be located. The smaller and new circulation desk is located next to the four self-check kiosks. A fifth self-check kiosk is being installed in the children’s department in a few weeks.

“We’re still there if the patrons want us or need us, but I think they love the new system,” said Barb Jados, information desk assistant and circulation clerk. “

EAPL is measuring the success of the new RFID system through increased self-check circulation, which keeps going up each month according to Campe and patron feedback.

“Our patrons tell us how easy it is to use and it’s been problem-free so far,” said Campe.