RFID conversion continues on schedule
PPLD is continuing to incorporate Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology into its collection. So far, every branch has opened on time or ahead of schedule. Library staff and many volunteers have worked hard to maintain the projected pace.
The District has been researching and saving for three years to pay for this new technology. RFID will provide many benefits to PPLD patrons and staff. The most obvious will be a substantial increase in the speed at which items can be checked in and out. This time savings should result in shorter lines and quicker access to holds. Many locations will receive additional self-check machines, which will also use RFID.
How does it work? During check in and check out, material is placed on a reader pad which transmits only the item’s electronic barcode number. An item must be within two feet of the reader. The item title and a patron’s personal information are not on the tag.
For more on RFID, please watch the video at the bottom of this post or click here.
The one million items in the Library’s collection are being tagged with a microchip and antenna. We are actively looking for volunteers to assist with this large project. Please call 531-6333, x1251 if you are interested in helping. You can click here for an application.
In order to implement RFID, the District will be closing each of its facilities for about a week at a time in order to tag material and install new equipment. These rolling closures began in March and will be completed at the end of May. (See closure schedule below.) Closing the facilities will help us to complete the project in a shorter time period. We appreciate your patience during this process.
Closure Schedule
During the closures at East Library and Penrose Library, however, holds pick-up and limited popular materials will be available from on Monday – Thursday from 3 – 7 p.m. and 3 – 6 p.m on Friday and Saturday. They will be closed completely on Sunday.
There will be no programs or computer access at the closed location during this time. Lists of the nearest PPLD facilities will be posted at each location.
Please note that all dates are subject to change. Check for updates on ppld.org or by calling (719) 531-6333.
Monument Branch: Conversion completed.
Palmer Lake Branch: Conversion completed.
Cheyenne Mountain Branch: Conversion completed.
Fountain Branch: Conversion completed.
Rockrimmon Branch: Conversion completed.
Ruth Holley Branch: Conversion completed.
Briargate Branch: Conversion completed.
Old Colorado City Branch: Conversion completed.
Ute Pass Branch: Conversion completed.
Sand Creek Branch: Conversion completed.
East Library: Conversion completed.
Penrose Library: May 17 – 28
Mobile Libraries: No city or county stops May 25 – 27
jwoods said,
March 1, 2010 @ 11:01 pm
will this take away from the paid lirarians that is will u let people go like a lay off and how much does this rfid cost
Jacqui Ireland said,
March 3, 2010 @ 1:12 am
Are we still be able to return checked out items @ a branch that is closed for RFID?
Virginia said,
March 3, 2010 @ 9:02 am
Jacqui: You can make returns at the branches’ external drops at any time during the closure.
Michael said,
March 3, 2010 @ 4:06 pm
What are the times to pick up holds for Monument Branch?
Kim said,
March 4, 2010 @ 2:39 pm
I would also like to know if there is a window of time to pickup any items that are on hold. Thank you
Virginia said,
March 4, 2010 @ 2:45 pm
Hi Michael and Kim,
You can pick up your holds from 3-6 p.m. during this closure.
Thanks!
J said,
March 4, 2010 @ 7:57 pm
What is the TRUE purpose of this RFID overhaul? Why does the library feel the need to install a tracking device on all of their collection? If the library has been thinking about this for 3 years, how come this is the first time I’ve heard about it? As a taxpayer whose money supports the PPLD, I am OUTRAGED at how my money is being used and I protest. Waiting in line is a small inconvenience and just part of life. People need to stop being in such a hurry nowadays. As far as getting more self-check machines, that’s only going to hurt library employees. Pretty soon, none of you will be needed for work and you’ll all be out of a job. How does that help you? I for one still believe in human beings doing work!!! What’s going to happen when machines can do everyone’s job? But, I guess it’s too late now……..the district has made up its mind.
Dee Vazquez said,
March 8, 2010 @ 1:44 pm
RFID will not result in job losses or the loss of hours for PPLD staff. The technology will allow us to use our current staff to meet rising demand for library service. Employees will have greater opportunities to interact with patrons as they are freed from repetitive tasks the technology is designed to handle. The entire cost of the project is $1,800,000, which includes converting library materials to RFID and installing or upgrading systems to support the change. Funding for the project has been set aside out of district operating funds over the course of several years.
Pip said,
March 8, 2010 @ 4:38 pm
Dude, J.
Chill out man. This is not some crazy conspiracy or a waste of time. It’s a convenient technology that is now affordable for places like libraries to use. If you go read Wikipedia for a while, you’ll realize RFID is used all over the place in the United States, as well as eve more widely around the world. A good example of RFID is those little gates at the store that go off if you’re stealing something… Or, have you heard of Pay Wave?
Or in Japan, in a sushi shop, the plates have RFID tags in them, and when you’re done with your meal, the server just scans the stack of plates!
Relax… You’re in the future.
f8te said,
March 11, 2010 @ 9:39 pm
Yeah! go read wikapedia. Pffh.
dangerous mission said,
March 16, 2010 @ 1:35 pm
I agree with J. RFID? Not a good thing!
Sage said,
March 24, 2010 @ 5:56 pm
I’m with J. What you have to determine is.. what efficiencies will this technology provide? How many city utility meter readers were let go because of new technology (wireless meter reading installations)? Maybe you haven’t noticed, but the city is not maintaining parks, turning off street lamps, etc. to solve budgetary problems. The question is.. how many ‘man-hours’ will RFID save? (C’mon, man… they must have given the library staff a powerpoint presentation on this.) How many people does that translate to? Get the picture? Wait one year after implementation … then see what happens.
- RFID: Library’s New Technology Sparks Controversy
http://www.mindfully.org/Technology/2005/RFID-Berkeley-Library4mar05.htm
Dee Vazquez said,
March 25, 2010 @ 10:44 am
Jwoods: thank you for your question about RFID. Implementing this new technology will mean more staff hours will be dedicated to direct interaction with our library users. Library employees that serve the public will see less of their time dedicated to handling materials and more dedicated to assisting patrons in connecting with the information that they need. That’s one of the significant benefits of this change. Implementing RFID throughout the District will cost $1,800,000 in total. Funding for the project has been set aside out of District operating funds over the course of several years as a strategic way to help the Library meet expanding utilization. Return on Investment reporting by libraries that have made the switch indicates that there are numerous benefits to the public and to the organization: check out is more efficient, there are fewer repetitive stress injuries, the collection is much easier to manage, security of items is improved, and staff are able to move into better public service roles. We expect to see happier patrons and staff once we have completed the move to RFID.
Ryan said,
March 27, 2010 @ 11:18 am
I just moved here from Des Moines, Iowa and the libraries there have been using RFID for years. It is a lot faster and more efficient. The self check-out stations are great. You can get in and get out so much faster. I was surprised to hear that this is just now being implemented here.
Teri Goodall said,
March 30, 2010 @ 9:47 am
Hello
I have the Community Room reserved on the evening of April 15th. I am hoping the closure will not affect this reservation. Please advise ASAP.
Keshia Thurman said,
March 31, 2010 @ 1:56 pm
Hi Teri,
Your reservation will not be affected by the closure at East Library. East Library will be closed May 3 – May 18, so you’re fine. If you have any other questions please call me.
Chuckles Malone said,
April 6, 2010 @ 11:09 am
more ridiculous expenditure of our money, in a time when EVERYONE else is cutting back, getting laid off, etc. Is there no-one in an advocacy role that can file a suit to prevent this egregious expenditure of our tax money in such a wasteful manner ?
Jenny said,
April 12, 2010 @ 3:46 pm
I would like to take the time to thank PPLD and everyone who works within the library system for all of their hard work and constant dedication. I have always been more than pleased with the services I receive from your libraries and I appreciate the effort that everyone at PPLD puts out to make every experience a good one. The people who work at the libraries, East Library in particular, offer exceptional customer service and are always very friendly. Such service is nearly impossible to find nowadays and it is very much appreciated! Thanks to all of you who work so hard to make the libraries in this city what they are. Keep up the excellent work!
Ele Greer said,
April 15, 2010 @ 11:48 am
I’m with Jenny – I think taxes paid to the libraries and the service we get from library employees like at PPLD is exemplary – if only all our tax dollars were spent as well! It’s also great that our libraries are so busy, and it’s obvious that we need to use technology to keep up with the demand for books. What’s to complain about here? I just hope we don’t discover that there is a health issue associated with being exposed to all these electronic chips, but that’s another issue entirely. Thanks to all the fine folks at PPLD and for the fantastic service you provide, as is evident in the polite and patient responses to our questions here.
Carolyn Carpenter said,
April 19, 2010 @ 10:57 am
Right after the completion at Cheyenne the check out process was fast and seemed easy. Now I find a wait for the book to process and because of this if you are not paying close attention, it is easy to not get a book checked out. Tho I usually pay attention, from time to time it is unavoidable that someone will stop to chat.
Can this be fixed?
Virginia said,
April 19, 2010 @ 4:17 pm
Carolyn, the speed to check out an item should be the same as when Cheyenne first opened. We will check to be sure. Thank you so much for letting us know. Please let the staff at the branch know about any issues you might have. Whenever you install a new system, there is always a time of fine tuning before everything works the way you expect it.
Steve said,
April 19, 2010 @ 8:09 pm
I love the sign “Closed For Innovation”.
Sue said,
April 28, 2010 @ 11:54 pm
I think our library system is one of the best in the nation. I receive excellent service from the East branch. I am always amazed at the selection of new books, books on CD and DVD’s. I have no idea how PPLD is able to manage their budget so well, but more power to them (and us) if they can afford a new and more efficient system. Keep up the great work PPLD and please continue to bring us into the next century with new technology! I and my tax dollars support you 100%.
Cheryl said,
April 30, 2010 @ 4:09 pm
I too have had nothing but excellent service at the East branch. I have holds that will proably come in during the closure. I understand the library will be open during certain hours for pick up. Will the self pick up and check out procedures be the same?
Greg Roes said,
April 30, 2010 @ 5:24 pm
Cheryl, thanks for the compliment. We will be available for holds pickup and have a limited collection of DVDs and books for checkout. These services will be available Monday-Thursday from 3:00-7:00 and Friday and Saturday from 3:00-6:00. We will not have any service hours on Sunday, May 9th.
Holds will be self-pickup. We expect a large volume, so some may be in the holds room and some may be on shelving we’re temporarily erecting outside the holds room. Checkout will be the same, other than new self-checks. We will have staff available to assist.
Greg Roes said,
May 2, 2010 @ 11:11 am
I should add that my comment above only applies to the East Library from May 3rd thru May 16th. All other PPLD locations will have normal operating hours.
RFID Labels said,
May 10, 2010 @ 3:25 am
the video is informational, thanks for that.