7/21/10

 

eBook Tipping Point & Digital Movie Lockers from ABC News

 

 

ebooks are outselling paper copies on Amazon.com.

http://abcnews.go.com/story?id=11203575

 

7/17/10

 

Request for Proposal (RFP) for Library Delivery and Sorting Services for Massachusetts Libraries Issued

The RFP was issued July 15, 2010 by the Massachusetts Library System, Inc. (MLS) 135 Beaver Street, Waltham, MA 02452.

Responses are Due: 4:00 pm EDT, August 31, 2010.

Please visit our web site to download the RFP, respondent forms, appendices, inquiry instructions, and related information.
http://wp.me/PXRJJ-3T

 

 

7/12/10

 

Massachusetts Library System (MLS) RFP Planning Announcement

 

The services of Massachusetts' six regional library systems have been consolidated under the Massachusetts Library System (MLS) as of July 1, 2010.  The MLS web site is now operational at: www.masslibsystem.org.  MLS will shortly announce a Request for Proposal (RFP) for Library Delivery and Sorting Services for Massachusetts Libraries.

 

The Task Force roster has been revised due to the formation of MLS, see:

 

2010-07-12 Roster.pdf

 

7/1/10

 

Digital ILL

 

"Libraries Have a Novel Idea: Lenders Join Forces to Let Patrons Check Out Digital Scans of Shelved Book Collections" by GEOFFREY A. FOWLER

"Starting Tuesday, a group of libraries led by the Internet Archive, a nonprofit digital library, are joining forces to create a one-stop website for  checking out e-books...Only one person at a time will be allowed to check out a digital copy of an in-copyright book for two weeks. While on loan, the physical copy of the book won't be loaned, due to copyright restrictions...[which]" could raise eyebrows, because copyright law is unclear in the digital books arena."

See the full text at:  http://bit.ly/ckog5h

 

Thanks to:

Marlene Sue Heroux

Reference Information Systems Specialist

Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners

 

 

6/3/10

 

Questions and Answers about the RFP for Massachusetts Cross State Delivery

Cross-State Replies to Questions Received on the Cross State RFP 6-3-2010.pdf

 

5/20/10

 

RFP for Massachusetts Cross State Delivery - Responses Due June 8, 2010

Massachusetts Library System Crosstate RFP 5-2010 (2)-1.pdf

 

Please note:  This is not the bid for statewide sorting and delivery.  This contract covers the provision of a statewide linking service of delivery sort sites in Massachusetts for one year.

 

5/20/10

 

Surge in Ereader, Tablet Purchases Predicted within Three Years

Some information on one of our perennial questions.  When will electronic content cause erosion in the growth of physical library delivery?

http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6728945.html

 

5/11/10

 

Schedule Change for Massachusetts RFP for Sorting and Delivery Services

 

The six Massachusetts regional library systems are planning to merge into a new single, statewide organization on or about July 1, 2010.  The new organization is called the Massachusetts Library System (MLS) and will be the successor organization to the six current regional library systems.  The planning process began late in 2009 and is almost complete.   The Task Force has decided to hold off on issuing the RFP until the new merged organization is formed.  We apologize for any inconvenience caused by this schedule change but feel that it is in everyone's best interest to wait a short time so that MLS can issue the RFP itself.  We expect the RFP to be issued by mid-July 2010 for services to be provided beginning in July 2011.

 

The meetings originally scheduled for June 18 and June 27, 2010 have been postponed.

 

 

4/29/10

 

It’s in the Mail: Improving the Physical Delivery of Library Resources (NISO Webinar)

May 12, 2010 | 1:00 - 2:30 pm (Eastern Time)

http://www.niso.org/news/events/2010/resourcesharing/

 

4/23/10

 

NYPL Debuts "World's Largest Automated Sorter of Library Materials"

http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6727006.html

 

NY Times link with video:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/22/books/22library.html

 

 

4/16/10

 

Policy Announcement from the Massachusetts Autosort RFP Task Force

 

The Massachusetts Autosort RFP Task Force has recently concluded a series of meetings with vendors who responded to the 2009 request for information.  We are no longer able to meet with individual vendors about the RFP because we need to ensure that no vendor receives information about the RFP that is not available to all possible respondents.  All communications about the RFP to vendors will take place on our wiki: http://autosort.pbworks.com/.  Interested parties are welcome to request wiki access to be informed when the site is updated.  In addition, we welcome questions, via email, from potential respondents.   We will include information requested via email in the RFP and accompanying documents to the greatest extent possible.  Send your questions to Task Force Co-chairs:  greg@nmrls.org or dconrad@sailsinc.org.

 

4/16/10

 

Link to YouTube video of the automated materials handling system at King County (WA) Library System

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fq3CWsyde4

 

4/12/10

 

Sample Network Transactions Response from SAILS

An example of network data we will include in the RFP.  Some networks were unable to break down items sent into item types.

sails_transits.xls

 

04/12/2010

 

Sample Survey Response from OCLN

An example of network data we will include in the RFP.  Responses from all networks will be compiled.

OCLN.doc 

 

04/12/2010

 

March 2010 One-Week Sample Data from NMRLS

An example of delivery data we will include in the RFP.  We still need to gather and add the open hours data

2009-March Delivery Sample Data for 6 Regions.xls

 

 

4/2/10

 

Autosort:  Subject of Podcast

Recently Sarah Long invited Greg Pronevitz to discuss various aspects of the Autosort project in her podcast:

http://www.librarybeat.com/longshots/play/224

 

 

3/21/10

 

RFID in Libraries: Standards and Expanding Use - NISO Webinar

April 14, 2010

1:00 - 2:30 p.m. (Eastern Time)

http://www.niso.org/news/events/2010/rfid/

 

While only a small number of libraries in Massachusetts currently use RFID.  Use is likely to expand.  RFID needs to be considered in any automated sorting solution.  NISO announced this webinar to share information on the topic.

 

 

3/18/10

 

Our next Autosort RFP Task Force meeting will be April 16, 2010 at Metrowest in Waltham (1:30-4:00 PM)

Task Force Members/Alternates only!

 

The day will begin with a general introduction to the project for new members.  See updated roster, below. 

 

Debby, Sunny, Lori, and Greg have been working on the draft RFP.  Debby will be sending a survey to all networks shortly to provide timely data to vendors.  The regions are conducting March surveys to provide timely data.  We will provide a draft to you prior to the meeting.

 

Agenda

1. General Introduction
2. Review RFP Draft
3. Review RFP Timeline
4. Identify next steps and participants
5. Other business

 

Let us know if you have any questions.

Greg and Debby

 

Timeline

 

Issue RFP by June 30, 2010 (ALA at end of June--issue earlier or later) issue before ALA for vendor conference at ALA

Give vendors time to respond

Approvals (regions, networks, MBLC)

Need buy in for the process-evaluation of RFP

Make decision by December 2010

Legal review

Sign contract early 2011

Implement by July 2011

Challenges: July 2011 telecom changes for MLN & OCLN, Evergreen implementation at MVLC, NOBLE and CW/MARS.

 

 

3/2/10

 

Save the date!  Q&A on the the Massachusetts RFP.  Meetings postponed.  See posting of 5/11/10

 

 

 

We plan to issue the RFP for Massachusetts Library Delivery and Sorting Services by June 2010 for services beginning July 2011.

We are scheduling two sessions for potential bidders to meet with the RFP Task Force for questions and answers.  The dates are:

 

June 18, 2010 (2:00pm-4:00pm) in Natick, Massachusetts at TBA

June 27, 2010 (5:30pm-7:30pm) in Washington DC at TBA

 

Please let us know if you have any questions or comments.

 

2/19/10

Massachusetts Automated Sorting Task Force Update

 

Concluding vendor presentations, the autosort task force formed a small group to work with consultant Lori Ayer to draft a Request for Proposals.  Greg Pronevitz and Debby Conrad will initiate the RFP and other members are invited to participate.  The task force clarified the Network and Regional information that will be gathered for inclusion.  Additional review of critical success factors and information that must be elicited from vendors in their responses completed the meeting.  The group will request a tiered approach to service levels and pricing in vendor responses.

 

 

The RFP is expected to be issued before ALA at the end of June.  Next steps will include vendor response time, approvals by contracting agencies, and a decision by December 2010.  The Task Force aims to sign a contract by early 2011 and begin implementation by July 2011.

 

2/3/10

The Moving Mountains Project - Physical Delivery of Library Materials Blog has some new postings:

 

Summary of the ALA Physical Delivery Discussion Group in Boston

OCLC Report on Greening ILL Practices

Should your drivers text?

 

See the blog at: http://movingmountainsproject.wordpress.com/

 

 

1/25/10

 

The Massachusetts Statewide Delivery Committee also has a web site with information about statewide decisions about library delivery services.

Please see: http://www.nmrls.org/msdc

 

 

 

1/6/10

 

Massachusetts Automated Sorting Update

 

This update is intended for members of the library community who are concerned with delivery, holds, and material sorting.

 

As you may know, automated sorting is recommended to reduce labor in libraries by eliminating labeling and pre-sorting. An ultimate benefit may be container level check-in. Automated sorting is not expected to realize significant savings for the regional program.

 

Following extended information-gathering efforts, Networks, Regions and the MBLC agreed in October 2009 to issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) for statewide delivery and automated sorting.  An automated sorting (Autosort) task force convened in December 2009 to develop the RFP.  The task force is lead by Debby Conrad, Executive Director, SAILS, and Greg Pronevitz, Administrator, NMRLS. Members represent each MA Network, Region, and the MBLC.

Each participating organization will contribute to the expense of hiring a nationally-recognized consultant to assist with the RFP process. Lori Ayer of the Galecia group will provide the needed expertise and help.

 

The anticipated timetable for the process is:

June 2010                   RFP issued

December 2010          Vendor selected

July 2011                     Begin implementation

 

The scale and scope of the project are complex.  Each of the Autosort stakeholders will work in the upcoming months to gather needed information, including the factors that would require attention, both from the Network and Regional perspectives, as the project moves forward.

 

If you’re interested in knowing more, browse the Autosort wiki at:http://autosort.pbworks.com/FrontPage.  There you’ll also find contact information for the task force. Any member would be pleased to talk with you about the project.

 

 

12/23/09

 

 

Ten Predictions For The E-Reader/E-Book Market In 2010

A recent article predicts many changes for devices, hardware options, and applications for e-books.

http://paidcontent.org/article/419-ten-predictions-for-the-e-book-market-in-2010/

 

12/02/09

NISO to Develop Recommended Practice for Physical Delivery of Library Materials

 

The National Information Standards Organization (NISO) Voting Members have approved a new work item to develop a Recommended Practice related to the physical delivery of library materials. NISO is pleased to announce that the Working Group roster for this project is now finalized, and work will be commencing with a kick-off call of the group on November 18, 2009. Building on the efforts of three recent projects--Moving Mountains, Rethinking Resource Sharing's Physical Delivery Committee, and the American Library Association's ASCLA ICANS' Physical Delivery Discussion Group-the recommended practice document is proposed to include recommendations for: packaging, shipping codes, labeling, acceptable turn-around time, lost or damaged materials handling, package tracking, ergonomic considerations, statistics, sorting, a set of elements to be used for comparison purposes to determine costs, linking of regional and local library carriers, and international delivery.

 

Visit NISO for more information and to sign up for updates: http://www.niso.org/news/pr/view?item_key=85529122530e18e6753743fbc834ac40d4226702

 

11/11/09 

What percentage of delivery will be via download in the future?

This question arises whenever we discuss planning for automated sorting.  A recent interview with Baker and Taylor's George Coe included a  question specific to ebooks, "What percentage fo the book business . . . will be ebooks in five years?  He addresses this and a follow up question specifically for academic and public libraries.  Visit LJ's site for the answer:  http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6677268.html?

 

11/03/09 

New Book on Library Delivery

 

ALA Editions has published monograph on the physical delivery of library materials, "Moving Materials," edited by Valerie Horton and Bruce Smith, see:  http://www.alastore.ala.org/detail.aspx?ID=2642

 

 

10/16/09

 

Massachusetts Statewide Delivery Committee (MSDC) approves Autosort Working Group's recommendation to Proceed with an RFP for Statewide Sorting and Delivery Services by Appointing a New, Expanded Task Force. 

 

While there are still a few hoops to jump through, namely approval by the respective boards of stakeholder organizations, the Committee agreed in principal to move forward.  The new task force will comprise two representatives from each organization, i.e., the nine automated networks, six regional library systems, and MBLC.  Organizations may elect to invite a member to be on the task force and/or staff members.  It is expected that the task force will be formed in late November or early December.

 

9/10/09

Autosort Working Group Recommendation Draft for comment by Autosort members

 

 

 

Recommendation to Proceed with an RFP for

Statewide Sorting And Delivery Services by Appointing a

New, Expanded RFP Task Force

 

I am writing as convener of the working group charged by the Committee with investigating the establishment of a single, automated, central sort for all regions.  The Autosort Working Group  has completed a significant amount of work.  We are asking for your help in the next phase of this project.

 

The Group was asked to develop a detailed cost/benefit analysis (including costs to networks and libraries) and perform a review of case studies in libraries and industry to help identify successes and pitfalls and use this research to develop a report that examines costs related to a single automated central sort. 

 

At our initial meeting in April 2009, the group agreed that a reasonable goal was to prepare an RFI (Request for Information) to gather the best ideas from potential contractors within six months and to follow that with an RFP (Request for Proposal) to result in a new contract start-up in July 2010.

 

We issued the RFI in July 2009 and received 17 responses in August 2009 (see below for benefits, issues, and responsibilities).  Autosort members reached consensus on September 2, 2009 that we have learned enough from the RFI process to determine that it is possible to accomplish the goal of centralized sorting with some level of automation and that the next step should be an RFP to allow us to do a detailed analysis of costs and benefits to all parties concerned (libraries, networks, regions, and MBLC). 

 

It is imperative that all stakeholders “buy-in” to this planning because of the significant changes in the ways we will do library delivery in the future.  We recommend that a new RFP Task Force be created, comprised of representatives from all stakeholders, i.e., Autosort members, libraries, networks, regions, and MBLC.  We believe retaining the consultant who assisted us with the RFI will provide significant benefits.  We recommend engaging this consultant again and that the cost be shared among the stakeholders in a mutually agreeable way.  The total cost will be about $13,000 ($812 average for each of the 16 stakeholder organizations). 

 

While Autosort believes that we should capitalize on the momentum generated by the RFI process and strong interest by vendors, the ambitious schedule suggested originally by Autosort seems to be too aggressive for many stakeholders.  Stakeholders must agree on a manageable schedule.

 

Several Autosort members will be available to discuss this recommendation at the October 16th meeting in ________.  In the meantime, please let me know if you have any questions.

 

Sincerely,

 

Greg Pronevitz,

on behalf of the Autosort Working Group

888-326-7772 - greg@nmrls.org

 

Enclosures:

 

Consultant's Proposal to Work on RFP

Description of Benefits (Sunny and Charlotte)

Issues, Responsibilities, and Costs

 

 

---

Benefits, Issues, Responsibilities, and Costs

 

 

Potential Benefits:

 

 

1.     Improve efficiency in libraries, e.g., eliminate labeling, presorting, bundling

2.     Delivery to libraries sorted by: branch with potential for sort by returns/holds and other criteria

3.     Generate and provide system generated hold slip at sort site

4.     Tote level check in and, perhaps, entire delivery level check in

5.     Statewide uniformity

 

 

Issues:

 

Sustainability - Without significant improvements in efficiency, how long can library staff sustain the ongoing growth in delivery volume?  Delivery volume (network loans) has increased 500 percent from one million to six million over ten years.  Public library annual circulation has increased from from 45 to 54 million (20%).  Public library FTE staffing has increased 8 percent from 3,800 to 4,101.

 

 

 

Compliance with Barcode Location Policy

 

Compliance with forthcoming Packaging Policy

 

Processing materials for non-networked libraries

 

Should Mass. have statewide barcode and RFID standards?

 

Responsibilities and Costs:

 

Network connectivity and data

.  In order to eliminate the library task of placing a delivery label on each outgoing item, the automated or semi-automated sorting system will require the destination data for each item.  Some vendors propose a live SIP2 connection while others propose downloading batches for quicker access at the sort site.  It may also be useful for the delivery provider to have access to each network for troubleshooting a small number of items.  The agreement needs to address privacy needs for library patron information.

 

Workflow changes at libraries (training needed).

  Staff who process incoming and outgoing materials are likely to require training in preparation and processing in the new environment.

 

 

New mindset and governance structure for delivery as a statewide service

 A new governance and policy/standards making system is likely to result to make the transition from six regional delivery service systems to a single statewide project.  Other considerations are management, staffing, customer service channels, communications (contact points or point), auditing and payment system, and contracting.

 

Contracting authority and funding for this new statwide project.  In order to avoid large upfront costs, we hope to establish a long-term contract with meaningful and realistic milestones to spread the costs over a long period.

 

A retrospective barcode placement system  must be developed and funded.

 

---

 

 

8/18/09

Request for Information for Massachusetts Statewide Sorting and Delivery posted 7/7/09.   Please see,  http://www.nmrls.org/msdc/rfi/

  

 

Responses were due 8/17/09. 

We have acknowledged all responses.  If you sent a response and did not receive acknowledgement, please contact greg@nmrls.org.

 

Welcome to the Resource Guide for the Massachusetts Statewide Delivery Committee (MSDC) Automated Central Sorting Working Group (autosort working group)

 

All working group member are authorized to add content.  Contact greg@nmrls.org for login info or with comments.

 

Charge: Investigate the establishment of a single, automated, central sort for all regions.  Working group will develop a detailed cost/benefit analysis (including costs to networks and libraries) and will perform a review of case studies in libraries and industry that will help identify successes and pitfalls and use this research to develop a report that examines costs related to a single automated central sort.  Convener:  Greg Pronevitz, NMRLS, greg@nmrls.org

 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NOTES from Initial Meeting on April 3, 2009

 

Next Meeting in about a month.  We will use AgreeADate

 

Review of earlier visits/meetings on this topic

Background Presentation on AMHS/ and Return on Investment

Visits to King County and Seattle Washington Presentation and Photos; Text

 

Determine next steps

The group discussed Next Steps as listed below:

 

1.    Begin discussions on long-term contracting options-Paul 

2.    Consider state procurement 

3.    Gather data for growth projection, e.g., forcast on future lending for books, CD’s, DVD’s, Books on Tape, etc. – Margaret 

4.    Present results of March 2009 delivery volume survey – Greg and other regions 

5.    Look at network use for March 2009 and determine percentages of loans of book, CD’s, DVD’s, Books on Tape, other media – Larry, Laurie, Ron 

6.    Contact consultant to determine affordability for this project – Sunny 

7.    Gather further information, e.g., rfp’s rfi’s on large library sorting automation projects – Sarah will provide info from Eugene and seek info from Las Vegas; Greg will post his photos and reports from the Washington state visits 

8.    Look into other existing public/private partnerships - Greg Pronevitz 

9.    Determine cost for SIP licensing 

10.    Determine current costs for sorting and delivery 

11.    Determine if Mass. already has an automated sorting facility - John

13.    Provide information on how long-haul to WMRLS might work 

14.    The broad decision RFP or RFI, own, lease, contact for use or Black Box where we just outline the requirements

 

Draft timeline

The group agreed that a reasonable goal was to prepare an RFI within six months in planning for an RFP to result in a start-up in July 2010.

 

Brainstorming

 

System specifications and considerations —AMHS and ASRS

 

1.    Ergonomic containers to help avoid the need for bending and lifting by library staff 

2.    Privacy issues for items that are not sorted automatically.  How can we provide access to a contractor while insuring patron privacy? 

3.    Specifications for Sorting System/ILS interface.  Load/stress on system, response time, volume, data package size, size and type of line required.

4.    How will automated storage and retrieval system (ASRS) work? 

5.    Can we clean bins from time to time.  They get very dirty both inside and out. 

6.    How will long-haul truck to WMRLS be loaded and unloaded.  Will it be in route order?

 

Considerations, issues, roles, responsibilities, & benefits for all parties

 

Libraries/Staff/Patrons

1.    Change can be challenging 

2.    Training is required 

3.    The external barcode policy needs more clarification, e.g., how to apply to pre-covered materials 

4.    A public relations effort to tout the benefits of automation is needed, perhaps a YouTube video 

5.    Separate totes for holds and returns would be a big help 

6.    Tote-level check in would be very useful 

7.    Eliminating the need to label and band items would be helpful 

8.    Fear of job loss 

9.    Retrospective bar coding must be addressed

 

Networks

1.    Need a secure connection 

2.    Up time percentages in networks is near 100 percent 

3.    Line type required 

4.    System load or stress 

5.    Offline options might be useful

 

Regions

1.    Should prepare for growth as new members are added to delivery service 

2.    Space issues at CMRLS and WMRLS 

3.    Transition from current to automated system 

4.    This might make cross-state delivery work even better

 

MBLC

1.    Virtual catalog issues 

2.    Funding

 

Vendor

1.    This will be a huge change 

2.    It might make it easier for the vendor

 

(added 4/3/09)

 

-----------------

 

New online journal, "Collaborative Librarianship" includes an article summarizing the presentations at the fall national Moving Mountains delivery conference.  Includes brief summary on automated materials handling systems (p. 25). (added 3/20/09)

 

Links to Automated Materials Handling Systems (AMHS) Vendors and videos

 

Video of Seattle Public Library's TechLogic RFID System

 

The Moving Mountains Project is an ad hoc group of librarians working with the physical delivery of library materials.  Through our web site, meetings, conferences, and our LISTSERV we share information on managing delivery, creating best practices, and developing innovative new projects and programs.  Everyone is welcome to become involved; just sign up for the LISTSERV and attend any of our events.

 

Working Group Roster

Greg Pronevitz, NMRLS

Sunny Vandermark, Metrowest

Charlotte Canelli, Morrill Mem Lib, Norwood

Margaret Cardello, CMRLS

Sarah Feldman, Newton Free Library

Ron Gagnon, NOBLE

Marilyn Graves, NOBLE

Jen Hinderer, Tewksbury PL

Amy L. Hwang, Eastern Nazarene College

Paul Kissman, MBLC

Laurie Lessner, SAILS

Bethany E. Pierce, Bridgewater State College

John Ramsay, WMRLS

Jan Resnick, WMRLS

Larry Rungren, MVLC

 

 

---

Free help:

1. Learn how to use PBwiki: The PBwiki Manual

2. If you prefer video, watch a recording of our popular webinar, PBwiki 101: Your Guide to Wiki Basics.

3. Need more help? Sign up for a Free introductory webinar

---