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Niles Library board considering new check-in, security systems
Updated: January 14, 2013 4:47PM
NILES — Niles library trustees were set to consider Wednesday purchasing an automated check-in system and RFID security and identification system at the library board meeting.
At a previous board meeting, trustees tabled the vote because they only received one bid at the cost of about $366,000.
“They had nothing to compare it to,” Niles Library Director Linda Weiss said.
Weiss said the board received quotes from other companies besides 3M, who put in the bid, but they were all higher than the bid amount from 3M.
Weiss said if approved with a maintenance agreement for years two to six, the total package could cost up to $500,000.
Library Trustee Morgan Dubiel is supportive of the RFID system, but not the automated system.
“The problem I have is we’re getting the automation, cutting jobs and not hiring, right in the middle of a time when we need to be hiring people,” Dubiel said. “There’s people that are desperate for work.”
Dubiel referred to the automation system as “just a glorified conveyor belt” and he said feels the library would be paying a fortune for it.
Dubiel also said that due to the specification of the automation system the board is forced to go with a single bidder.
“We’re trying to make it more convenient for the patrons,” said Weiss, about the automated system.
Weiss said staff will be freed up as a result of the new automated system. Currently, she said staff members have to handle the items several times from the time they are returned to when they’re put back on the shelves.
“We’d like to be able to use the staff in different ways throughout the building, “ explained Weiss, who is hoping to create a more “patron centered” environment for library patrons.
Weiss said when items are checked in, patrons will get a receipt in three different languages.
