The Cedar Park Public Library converted to the 3M RFID system in 2008. We have always had a very high circulation number. In 2008 we checked out over 620,000 items and had a collection close to 100,000 volumes. Staff and volunteers could convert about 150-200 items per hour per machine. I believe we used three or four of the staff stations plus a leased conversion station to convert our whole collection in about 1-1/2 months. We are using RFID tags instead of strips. The RFID has positively impacted the staff and our patrons. The system has helped manage the continue upsurge of circulation without going to the council to ask for additional help.
The system now includes three self checkout machines with credit/debit card payment capability, 5 staff work pads, a set of security gates, and 4 smart chutes for our exterior and interior book returns to check in materials automatically (on real time). About 55 to 60% of our check outs are from the self check machines. There are always some die hard patrons who like the interaction with our staff and want check out their materials at the circulation desk only. As of any system, there are smart patrons who know of ways to beat our security system. But overall, the system works very well meeting our needs, improving staff productivity and containing staff cost. Our circulation had increased to over 795,000 in FY 2009 and we managed the workload even with our City froze 1-1/2 of our positions (we might not be able to do it for long if the circulation keeps going up). Pauline Lam, MLS Library Director Cedar Park Public Library 550 Discovery Blvd. Cedar Park, TX 78613 Tel: (512) 401-5624 Fax: (512) 259-5236 ________________________________ From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Laurie Mahaffey Sent: Monday, March 22, 2010 9:38 AM To: [email protected] Subject: [ctls-l] Question from a member library One of our member libraries is planning a new building and wants to ask about security systems. "Are most libraries nowadays going with RFID instead of Checkpoint?" If you have a security system, which one do you have? How does it work? Do you like it? Is it effective? Have you had any issues with self-check and this security system? Any other thoughts you could share about how long it took to add security strips to your collection would be helpful. Please mention collection size or how many books/items could be "stripped" in an hour. Thanks! Laurie Laurie Mahaffey, Deputy Director Central Texas Library System, Inc. 1005 West 41st Street Austin, Texas 78756 www.ctls.net [email protected] 512-583-0704 x18 800-262-4431 x18
