Projects

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.

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.

Managed Home Delivery Pilot project, a project funded by an LSTA grant to evaluate the cost and benefits of providing home delivery for library materials. Project was cancelled due to integration issues with integrated library system.

Contract began with evaluation of delivery service in the context of other services provided to METRO members. Analyzed costs associated with providing delivery and alternative approaches to improving service. Continued engagement to help METRO maintain excellent delivery service.

Evaluated delivery system and provided recommendations for reducing costs and planning for increases in volume while reducing staff costs.

Assisted with the implementation of the Gates Foundation’s Public Access Computer Hardware Upgrade Grant for the California State Library. Duties included assisting libraries eligible to receive funds to fill out paperwork, assisting State Library personnel in completing grant applications forms and planning the distribution of grant funds.

Developed software requirements specification for integrated library system to be developed on open source platform such as Evergreen. This document served as the roadmap for KCLS development efforts over the next several years.

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.