wccls.org

2009-current.   Conducting materials handling and collection management analysis. The project will address 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 include a comparison of RFID versus bar codes solutions and provide suggestions for how to implement AMH solutions into their libraries.

2009-current. Assisting with development of RFI/RFP to implement central, automated sort for all Massachusetts regional systems. This project is a follow-up to the delivery evaluation performed in 2008.

This is a slightly redacted version of a study I did (with Melissa Stockton of Quipu Group) on the library delivery system in Massachusetts. We evaluated delivery, sorting, and in-library practices and everything in between. Fascinating reading!

Statewide Library Delivery Study

Now this group is issuing an RFI to get some new ideas about how to optimize this operation. I provided some ideas in the report (centralized, automated sort for entire state) and they are looking for ideas about how to implement that, or maybe there are even better ideas out there.

Contact me if you have some ideas and want a copy of the RFI. We’re planning to distribute it to materials handling vendors, logistics and transportation companies, and some robotics companies. Other ideas???

I’m one of the contributing authors for a new book titled Moving Materials: Physical Delivery in Libraries available from ALA Editions.
Valerie Horton and Bruce Smith are the editors. It’s $70 (crazy high ALA prices) and is available for preorder now.
Here’s how they describe the book:

Picking, packing, delivering, and returning library materials can be very time consuming and expensive; yet, it is one of the most important and least understood functions within a library. Until now, little time has been spent studying, exploring, or writing about the physical delivery of library materials.
Moving Materials is the guide to contemporary logistics management for libraries. Eleven experts in the field explore every aspect of this multi-million dollar function, so readers will learn
- The impact of pricing on delivery services
- Managing in-house delivery systems
- The value of outsourcing physical delivery to a carrier service
- Details about routing and materials management systems
- New technologies and the impact of library 2.0 on physical delivery
Moving Materials is a practical, useful handbook for library managers who want to save money and offer quality materials to their patrons.

mmrls.org
2008.  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. Recommendations related to sorting, labeling, and workflow were also included.

2007-current.  Ongoing engagement with library to support IT team and to assist with facility remodel projects. Contract began with evaluation of interlibrary delivery services.

2007-2008.  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.

I recently did a delivery evaluation for the North Suburban Library System and had the opportunity to meet Sarah Long, Director of NSLS. I admire Sarah and the work she’s done for libraries so it was especially rewarding to have her request an interview.
In case you find library delivery and materials handling as fascinating as I do, now you can get in on the action by listening to this little chat between Sarah and me for her Longshots Podcast series.

metro.org
2006-2008. 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.

nsls.info
2008. Evaluated delivery system and provided recommendations for reducing costs and planning for increases in volume while reducing staff costs.