Projects

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Evaluated delivery operations of all six regional systems and made recommendations for optimizing services including integrating delivery operation with library system software, consolidating delivery systems and automating sort. The Final Report and Recommendations related to sorting, labeling, and workflow were also included.

Managed numerous projects including rolling out computer labs, and establishing and managing the webcast program. Developed and delivered workshops on Computer and Internet Troubleshooting. Developed and delivered numerous webcasts on filtering and RFID. See Infopeople website for archived training material and webinars.

Compared costs and benefits of materials handling operations between two library branches that differed only in how they used automated systems to get the work done. Demonstrated a significant savings for library using automated materials return system.

Conducted materials handling analysis. Provided recommendations and projected payback periods for implementing automated materials handling and RFID technologies.