Set your library free with RFID

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Set your library free with RFID

• HLG Conference 2008

Linda Davies Lindsay Roberts Cardiff
University 21st July 2008
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Background

• 2004 - 18 site libraries _at_ merger
• Duplication of some services effort
• Need to develop expand others
• Information Literacy / School Liaison / Research
  Support
• 2005 - Library Review
• Self service - tactical initiative
• To free as many library support staff from
  undertaking as many routine tasks as possible.
• INSRV SRIF 3 Bid
• Self Service with RFID pilot.....

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Targets

• 80 self service
• Initial bid self service in every site
• Revised project plan
• fewer sites
• with more equipment
• so shorter queues
• and higher usage levels
• So, did we meet the targets?

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RFID as of Issues 07/08
Target 80
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RFID Issues by Library
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Implementation Sites

• Duthie
• 33,000 items
• Existing RF tags needed shielding
• Law (short loan collection only)
• 7,000 items
• Issues only no returns
• Aberconway
• 51,000 items
• Major refurbishment
• Trevithick in progress,
• due to complete Nov 08
• 45,000 items
• Major refurbishment

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Research

• Discussions with major suppliers at LIS
• Site visits to HE libraries with Voyager
• CILIP RFID Conference
• Decision to implement RFID
• Tender docs from other HE libraries

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Choosing the right supplier

• Contacts _at_ conference for ORs
• Advice from INSRV technical staff
• Advice support from CU Purchasing staff
• Restricted tender
• Contacts for on-site demos
• Negotiation with chosen supplier
• Site visits Spring 2007

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Critical Procedures Decisions

• Daily contact with Estates project manager
• Intellident project management
• Detailed schedule for each site
• Daily telephone / email contact before each
  installation
• Project manager present for each installation
• Raising fines threshold
• From 5.00 to 10.00
• Ripping out circulation desks
• Specific, unmovable deadlines

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Change Management

• Publicity
• Library staff
• Library users talk to staff / posters flyers
• Library staff forums
• Floorwalking / Roving / Roaming / Hosting
• Prompt cards
• Approachability sessions
• LEAN workshops
• Site Librarians Lib Ops Managers

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Aberconway Short Loan
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Positive impacts on libraries

• Decluttered the entrance area
• Removed / reduced issue desks
• More circulation space for library users
• Lighter, more welcoming areas
• Users impressed

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Duthie Before 1
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Duthie Before 2
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RFID _at_ Duthie After
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RFID _at_ Duthie - After
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Staffing pre RFID

• 2 Members of staff on issue desk 9 5
• Each member of staff responsible for a task
• ILLs
• Distance Learning requests
• AWHILEs
• Book Ordering
• Journals
• Management of Desk
• Invoicing

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Old rota
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Staffing - post RFID

• 1 Enquiry desk
• Staffed throughout opening hours
• 2 hour shifts
• 2 RFID self service units
• 1 staff Rover
• Peak times (11-3)
• 1 hour shifts

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New rota
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(No Transcript)
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New projects

• UK Research Reserve
• A Wiki for the library manual
• Development of library presence on VLE/
  Blackboard
• Meetings with module coordinators
• Meetings with Undergraduate Library Reps

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Changes already achieved

• Research Staff training programme implemented
• 2 ongoing Blogs
• library news
• distance learning
• Self collection of reserved books
• New books display
• Library staff trained
• on help desk software
• to issue ID cards
• Computing Sales within library

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Future

• Considering revising (extending) opening times
• Information Audit of School (rolling)
• Web 2.0 and beyond.
• Increased detailed support for academics distance
  learners and NHS

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Library staff reactions

• Lighter more pleasant area to work in
• Modern attitude to working
• More interesting role
• Enables more time for in-depth queries

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University reactions

• Staff
• Concerned for library staff losses
• Appreciation for increased liaison support
• Students
• The library has gone all high tech!
• WOW
• Its cool
• It mysteriously knows.

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Set your library free with RFID

• HLG Conference 2008

Linda Davies Lindsay Roberts Cardiff
University 21st July 2008