Projects

This project was done in partnership with Melissa Stockton of Quipu Group. It involved developing a procurement strategy for replacing Massachusetts' current resource-sharing product (SirsiDynix URSA) and then taking the stakeholders through RFP development, evaluation and demos and eventually through to selection.  

Developed requirements for an integrated library system. The project included providing a set of "starter requirements" appropriate for this library system and working with focus groups to finalize and prioritize the requirements. The final requirements list will be utilized in a forthcoming RFP. Working in partnership with Quipu Group.

Provided cost benefit analysis of RFID and automated materials handling solutions for reducing operating expenses and increasing customer service workflow efficiencies. Worked with library to re-envision interlibrary sorting and delivery operations.

Assisted with development of RFI/RFP to implement central, automated sort for all Massachusetts regional systems. Assisted with research, RFI and then RFP development, evaluation, and procurement. The project is a follow-up to the delivery evaluation performed in 2008.  

KCLS and libraries across the nation are facing many new pressures that push against core values and services. The confluence of fiscal, demographic, and technological changes is creating new challenges and opportunities for reviewing, redefining, and enhancing the services and delivery methods KCLS offers while remaining true to core values.

Worked with library during a transition period providing IT management mentoring and IT staffing consulting. Also provided guidance on some facility remodel projects. Contract began with evaluation of interlibrary delivery services.

Multnomah County was suffering from overcrowding.  There were too many books for the shelves despite their aggressive weeding protocols.  To assist in finding solutions, Lori Ayre conducted a comprehensive materials handling and collection management analysis resulting in multiple recommendations falling into six categories:

1. Automate the sort and delivery operations
2. Create an off-site, just-in-time storage and retrieval system that is integrated with the sort operation.
3. Add automated materials handling systems (sorters and self-service check-in) at the Central and regional libraries.
4. Add stand-alone bookdrops and expand the size of the Delivery team.
5. Make policy and procedures changes
6. Expand self-service options.

Conducted materials handling and collection management analysis. The project addressed space shortage issues, materials handling workload, how to reduce turnaround time and expand services, and ways to improve central delivery and sorting. The analysis will also included a comparison of RFID versus bar codes solutions and provide suggestions for how to implement AMH solutions into their libraries.

Evaluated staffing requirements for system office of MARINet, an organization providing shared catalog (and other services) for six libraries.