Sayville Library Board Talks Card Campaign, New RFID System

Discussions at Sayville's recent Library board meeting centered around current projects as well as what lies ahead, such as the success of the recent library card campaign, the implementation of the new Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) system and the effects of the 2 percent tax cap on the library’s budget.

According to library director Alice Lepore, , in cooperation with the school district and the endorsement of , was a success. There were 88 new juvenile card sign ups and 165 cards issued last month. The winning classes will receive a pizza party in school, which will be announced next month. Lepore added that there was a healthy jump in circulation numbers in January, which could be attributed to the library card campaign or possibly the number of snow days.

, which is also a cooperative program with the school district, is being promoted as well. The theme of the program is dogs, with available books for pre-K students to adults. Program sign ups start in March and the author of the adult selection, Carol Prisant, will be at the library on May 14 to discuss her book and career.

Lepore also presented potential drawings of signage to be installed in the library. The board members offered input on their likes and dislikes, consistency of the font selection and what is important for patrons. Lepore will bring the suggestions back to the graphic artist for revisions.

The RFID system in the library was another topic of discussion. “We have been planning for it since 2007 when funds were allocated toward purchase,” Lepore said. “By allocating funds, the library will not go out to the taxpayers for new funds for this project.” The cost is approximately $120,000 and it will be done in a two-phase process, whereas teams will tag all the books and then the self-checkout system will be installed. If all goes as planned, the system input should be complete before the start of the summer.

There will be three stations at the circulation desk, which can also be turned around for staff use. According to Lepore, benefits include:

• Self-checkout, which is easy for patrons to use with this system.
• Taking an inventory of the collection is simple with tags in the materials. A "wand" waved over the shelves will identify missing items.
• It provides a security system at the doors. If a tagged item has not been checked out, an alert will be communicated to the circulation desk with the title of the item.
• RFID reduces repetitive motion for the staff when a whole group of books can be checked out at the same time by placing them on the RFID pad together and audiovisual materials will be unlocked just by placing the case in the unlocking unit
• There will be some savings in the salary line with self-checkout in place.

During the planning stages of the building project, some board members visited libraries that already had the system in place. Both Sachem and Middle Country libraries are currently implementing the system, and the Sayville Library is learning from them.

Budget discussions were put off until next month, when board members have a better understanding and more information on how the will affect the library. While the library has kept its operating expenses in line, according to the board, factors like the added costs to the New York State pension plan and rising health insurance premiums must be considered.