The design for the Ankeny Kirkendall Public Library included an automated materials handling system. The primary benefit of an automated materials handling system is the reduction in operating costs as the result of a significant reduction in the handling of returned items by library staff. Staff members do not have to empty book drops, move materials, check them in, re-activate RFID tags and place them on book trucks. The benefit for library patrons is that materials are ready more quickly for reshelving, thus increasing the availability of materials. Also, the use of an automated materials handling system reduces the incidence of repetitive motion injuries.
A Request for Proposal (RFP) was prepared for the automated materials handling system. It was mailed to 6 vendors with 3 submitting proposals. RFID Library Solutions submitted the recommended proposal in the amount of $226,475. The recommendation is based on purchase price, life cycle costs and the added benefit of a return induction bin. The return induction bin is important to library staff as it automates the return of materials from the remote book drop within the library and reduces the possibility for repetitive motion injuries. |