Library keeps pace with digital age
Cyber shelves stock books, music; Web takes care of due date reminders
Charlie Levandowski, 5, helps his mom, Lisa, check out the books they selected from the children’s area at the Brookfield library. The library has two self-checkout units. Photo By C.T. Kruger
March 10, 2010 | 0 comments
As the economy dips, library numbers typically soar, and patrons begin looking for more materials - from books and movies to online journals and databases - to help them in all kinds of endeavors, from looking for a new job to learning a foreign language.
The Brookfield Public Library is using technology to address patrons' needs as well as streamline its administrative processes.
"There are a lot of different technologies that are used here, and each one of them is different in terms of its impact and cost savings," Library Director Edell Schaefer said.
Interest in e-books, downloads grows
Let's start with the fun stuff - the library has access to loads of electronic books (or e-books) and downloadable audio files containing music and books, said Cathy Tuttrup, the library's adult administrative services supervisor.
While the library doesn't have any Kindle or other e-readers available, Brookfield does subscribe to the Overdrive e-book service, where patrons can download materials and transfer them to their own iPhone or other mobile devices, Tuttrup said.
Downloadable audio files of music albums and books have "just kind of exploded in the last couple years," Tuttrup said.
Schaefer said making e-books or audio downloads more readily accessible doesn't mean the library is buying fewer print books, CDs or other items.
"Those types of things are not necessarily cost savings, they're simply different formats," she said.
Streamlining the approach
Cost-saving efforts come into play much more in the library's internal functions.
For instance, the library's self-checkout station - where patrons can scan their own books, movies and CDs - accounts for about 31 percent of the library's checkouts, said JoAnne Stockhausen, circulation services supervisor.
The library first started using self-checkout in July 2000, and it has been increasing in popularity since.
And while circulation at the library has jumped in recent years, Schaefer said adding the two self-checkout terminals means the library hasn't had to hire anyone to deal with additional circulation in more than 10 years.
Another big timesaver is the library's PC reservation system. Previously, patrons would have to check in manually with library clerks if they wanted to use one of the library's computers.
Now, visitors can use their library cards to reserve the computers and print materials via a coin-operated system.
In the past few years, the library also has implemented an automated voice-message system that calls patrons and lets them know if they have overdue materials or if an item they have reserved has arrived. That means librarians don't have to spend time making a call to residents and can focus on other tasks, Schaefer said.
The library's Web site, brookfieldlibrary.com, also gives patrons a few technological benefits, Stockhausen said.
For instance, visitors can browse the Brookfield library's catalog - as well as the catalogs of other libraries in Waukesha County's consolidated CAFÉ system - and place holds on items or renew them if they're coming due soon.
Also, patrons can sign up for the library's pre-overdue notification, which sends them an e-mail three days before their materials are due so they remember to renew them online or return them, Stockhausen said.
BY THE NUMBERS
313,207
user visits to the Brookfield Public Library in 2008
318,431
user visits in 2009
706,156
items checked out in 2008
748,648
items checked out in 2009
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