{"id":18191,"date":"2021-03-04T12:43:51","date_gmt":"2021-03-04T12:43:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/bibliotheca.wpengine.com\/auburn-public-library\/"},"modified":"2025-04-28T21:23:46","modified_gmt":"2025-04-28T21:23:46","slug":"customer-story-auburn-public-library","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bibliotheca.com\/en-gb\/customer-story-auburn-public-library\/","title":{"rendered":"In Alabama\u2019s Fastest-Growing City, a Library Scales Up With Technology"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\tLibrary Stories<\/a>Blog<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\tIn Alabama\u2019s Fastest-Growing City, a Library Scales Up With Technology\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Located in the fastest growing city in Alabama, Auburn Public Library experienced a 160% increase in circulation in just two years. The library needed updated technology that provided patrons with an excellent experience while reducing strain on staff.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Partnering with Bibliotheca, APL converted its entire collection to RFID, installed self-checkout kiosks, RFID security gates, and transferred its digital collection to cloudLibrary content. <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Though slated to take 12 weeks, the RFID conversion was completed in just seven. In 2019, 72% of items were borrowed via selfCheck. cloudLibrary\u2019s integration with the selfChecks and intuitive app makes it easy for patrons to borrow digital materials. \u201cThe best thing is it just works.\u201d<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Using Bibliotheca\u2019s suite of products to accommodate unprecedented library growth<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Auburn Public Library<\/a> is the municipal library of Auburn, Alabama. The library hosts a collection of 64,000 items and serves 65,000 residents in a 34,000-square foot facility. By implementing Bibliotheca\u2019s integrated suite of products, selfCheck\u2122 kiosks<\/a>, RFID, security gates<\/a>, and the cloudLibrary\u2122<\/a> app, Auburn Public Library was able to use one provider to meet both its physical and digital needs.<\/p>\n

Due to its high standard of living, low cost of living, and excellent public schools, Auburn is the fastest growing city in Alabama, and one of the fastest growing municipalities in the nation. Between 2014 and 2016, Auburn Public Library saw its circulation rise by 160%, a wonderful challenge to face, but a challenge nonetheless.<\/p>\n

Chris Warren, Library Director, knew something needed to be done to ensure that the library could keep pace with the growth of its population. \u201cThe dramatic increase in our circulation really drove our decision to convert to RFID and self-checkout,\u201d says Warren. The Auburn Public Library used the need for an overhaul as an opportunity to implement Bibliotheca\u2019s suite of products: selfCheck\u2122 kiosks, RFID technology, security gates, and cloudLibrary digital content.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Self-Checkout: A Multifaceted Problem Solver<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Auburn Public Library began by installing four selfCheck 1000D kiosks utilizing Bibliotheca\u2019s quickConnect\u2122 software<\/a>. Two selfChecks are located at the end of the circulation desk, and two others are located in the youth services addition. Though three of the four selfChecks are at traditional counter height, the fourth, placed much closer to the ground, receives most of the attention.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn our first full month of implementation, 59% of materials were checked out using a selfCheck station. What\u2019s really interesting is that the lower selfCheck in youth services far outperformed the others. Children love being able to check out their own materials. One parent said she brings her kids to the selfCheck\u2122 at the library because it\u2019s as close as they can get to Disneyworld without leaving town!\u201d says Warren.<\/p>\n

The response from children and adults alike has been overwhelmingly positive. The interface is intuitive and easy to navigate even for beginners. Because the checkout process is smooth and quick, there are no longer any lines at the circulation desk, freeing up staff to engage in more involved conversations with patrons and offer a deeper level of customer service. When the selfChecks are not in use, they act as digital billboards for the library\u2019s programmes and activities. The Auburn Public Library used these \u201cbillboards\u201d to publicise its Summer Learning Challenge and continues to use them to notify patrons of Story Times and other great library offerings.<\/p>\n

Warren says, \u201cThe backend of quickConnect<\/a> is amazing. We are absolutely in awe of how easy it is to customise the selfChecks. Whether we\u2019re changing patron promotions or customising language options, it\u2019s so simple. It has nice big buttons, and it\u2019s very attractive. My favourite part is that they aren\u2019t just dormant when not in use. Those selfCheck stations are valuable real estate and being able to use them to promote programs and connect with the community is a wonderful benefit.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hassle-free RFID<\/strong><\/p>\n

Though Auburn originally allocated 12 weeks to tag its collection and convert its system to RFID, the process ended up taking only seven weeks. They structured it using a \u201cthree-pronged approach\u201d: tagging items as they were returned, tagging new items before they were shelved, and systematically going through the shelves to tag any remaining items.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe staffConnect software<\/a> for converting materials to RFID is so easy to use. I\u2019ve worked in other libraries where that was not the case,\u201d says Warren. \u201cIn our scenario, it was very easy to tag items, to know what you\u2019d tagged and what you hadn\u2019t, and to push things out to the shelves.\u201d The library was able to convert its entire collection without the help of additional staff or volunteers. To celebrate the accomplishment, the library threw a pizza party and the city council recognised the staff at one of their recent public meetings.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was beyond impressed with how quickly the whole thing went and how easily our staff got through it,\u201d says Warren. To complete the conversion, the Auburn Public Library installed RFID gates at the entrance of the library. When the alarm is triggered, specific data about the triggering material is sent to a desktop at the circulation desk. Staff members are able to help patrons quickly identify which item caused the alarm, eliminating the need to go through patron\u2019s materials one-by-one, a time consuming and embarrassing process.<\/p>\n

A Fully Integrated Digital Solution<\/strong><\/p>\n

In addition to the selfCheck kiosks and RFID conversion, Auburn also transferred its digital collection to cloudLibrary<\/a> content, Bibliotheca\u2019s fully integrated digital library platform. \u201cWe wanted something that would integrate with the selfCheck kiosks within our library, and we wanted an interface that was easier to use. For us, cloudLibrary hit all of those notes,\u201d says Warren.<\/p>\n

The library began by setting up a few staff members with cloudLibrary test accounts. The response was unanimous. Everyone wanted the platform up and running as soon as possible. Warren attributes cloudLibrary\u2019s popularity to its ease of use and integration with other library platforms. While other digital vendors often require patrons to create a separate login account and navigate to outside sites to check out digital materials, cloudLibrary simplifies all that with a one-time login and makes it possible to checkout materials without leaving the library\u2019s catalog or the cloudLibrary app.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Bibliotheca support team was great. The transfer from OverDrive went really smoothly. Anytime you launch a new technology you assume that there will be months where you\u2019re ironing out the kinks until it can finally be what you want it to be. But with the self-checkout, cloudLibrary, and RFID, we haven\u2019t had any of those issues. We were able to transfer a vast amount of our digital collection, both eBooks and eAudiobooks at very little cost,\u201d says Warren.<\/p>\n

Warren was initially concerned that patrons would object to the fact that cloudLibrary\u2122 is not compatible with standard Kindle e-readers, but even that has turned out to be a non-issue. He says, \u201cAlmost everyone has more than one device. Our patrons understand that they can use their phones, iPads, tablets, and other e-readers to access their materials. Personally, I\u2019m always downloading audiobooks to listen to at the gym or in my car. I\u2019ve definitely used it more than I\u2019ve ever used any other digital library application. It sounds like hyperbole, but it\u2019s true.\u201d<\/p>\n

It Just Works<\/strong><\/p>\n

The City of Auburn is in the midst of a master planning process. In the coming months, the city hopes to approve a plan which will include key improvements and renovations of the library facilities.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese solutions will definitely be part of that,\u201d says Warren. \u201cEverything is intuitive; everything is attractive; everything is so much easier to use than the other products out there. Our experience partnering with Bibliotheca has been overwhelmingly positive. We were able to use one vendor to meet both our physical needs and digital needs. But what\u2019s been really nice about all of it is that it just works.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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\u201cThe dramatic increase in our circulation really drove our decision to convert to RFID and self-checkout,\u201d<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tChris Warren<\/span> Library Director, Auburn Public Library, Alabama, USA<\/span><\/cite>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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\u201cThe backend of quickConnect is amazing. We are absolutely in awe of how easy it is to customise the selfChecks. Whether we\u2019re changing patron promotions or customising language options, it\u2019s so simple. It has nice big buttons, and it\u2019s very attractive....\"<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tChris Warren<\/span> Library Director, Auburn Public Library, Alabama, USA<\/span><\/cite>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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Insights + Trends<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Using Bibliotheca\u2019s suite of products to handle a 160% increase in circulation.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":27,"featured_media":7976,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[310,198],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-18191","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-library-stories","category-blog"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bibliotheca.com\/en-gb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18191","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bibliotheca.com\/en-gb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bibliotheca.com\/en-gb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bibliotheca.com\/en-gb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/27"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bibliotheca.com\/en-gb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=18191"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.bibliotheca.com\/en-gb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18191\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bibliotheca.com\/en-gb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7976"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bibliotheca.com\/en-gb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=18191"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bibliotheca.com\/en-gb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=18191"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bibliotheca.com\/en-gb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=18191"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}