Technology at library helps increase hours

With a new radio frequency identification check-out service now in place, the Carson City Library has announced it will increase its hours of operation.

"Despite the loss of two staff members due to city budget cuts, the implementation of RFID will allow the library to increase six service hours starting Sept. 13," said Library Director Sara Jones.

The new hours will be

10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 10 a.m. to

6 p.m. Friday-Saturday.

"The library has used bar-code technology for many years, but that process requires that the check-out and check-in process be done one book (or item) at a time," Jones said.

"The advantage of RFID is that multiple materials can be checked in and out, making it faster for the patron and for the library staff. This means we can use our human resources to better serve people," she said.

Library Assistant Mary Lambert, who was on hand Thursday to help patrons learn to use the system, said she enjoys seeing people become familiar with the new technology.

"It's nice that they can do six or seven (items) at a time. The screen will tell you automatically if there is an error, like if an item is on hold for someone else or if they are over their limit," Lambert said.

But the big question is, how do library patrons feel about the new technology now that they've had an opportunity to use it for about 10 days?

Carole Byrne of Dayton had just finished checking out a pile of books and a couple of DVDs Thursday by setting them on a scanning table. All items were read by the system simultaneously, and all Byrne had to do was swipe her library card.

"I just thought this was absolutely incredible," Byrne said. "Technology is scary."

Mark Hemmings of Carson City took a little more convincing.

"I like it a lot. At first, I didn't, but now I do. It's so simple," he said.

And Chris Wahle of Carson City accepted it as a sign of the times.

"Back in the '70s, we had full-service gas stations, then we went to self-serve. I think you lose the personal contact with people, but it's more efficient with all the budget cuts," Wahle said.

But Jones said personal service is likely to improve.

"Our goal is not to ostracize people. We have just as many people (as before the RFID was installed) and we hope the human touch increases rather than decreases," she said.

Instead of people behind desks checking books out and in, there will be more people on the floor to help people find what they need. With five stations available, there is also less of a wait time for patrons, she said.

"We do find all the machines in use occasionally, but there are only one or two people waiting, where before, there were as many as seven deep," Jones said.

Since 2007, the library has lost five full-time employees, even though library usage has continued to increase.

In fiscal year 2008-09, the library checked out 374,130 items, and in 2009-10, it checked out 441,797 items, an increase of 18 percent. During the same period, library attendance has increased 10 percent, Jones said.

The cost so far is about $100,000. The second phase - a machine that will sort library materials for shelving - is planned for late fall and is expected to cost at least $55,000.

The library received a Library Services and Technology Act grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services in the amount of $75,000. The Friends of the Library and the Library Foundation have committed $80,000 to the project, for a total of $155,000.