{"id":23034,"date":"2018-11-15T18:29:00","date_gmt":"2018-11-15T18:29:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bibliodev.local\/?p=23034"},"modified":"2025-04-29T14:57:50","modified_gmt":"2025-04-29T14:57:50","slug":"library-story-richmond-hill-public","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bibliotheca.com\/library-story-richmond-hill-public\/","title":{"rendered":"Richmond Hill Public Library Future-Proofs With Modular flexAMH Sorting System"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\tLIBRARY STORY\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\tRichmond Hill Public Library Future-Proofs With Modular flexAMH Sorting System\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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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNovember 15, 2018\t\t\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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\n\t\t\t\t\t\tRichmond Hill Public Library needed to replace their old automated materials handler (AMH) as soon as possible. The problem: the new system had to serve their needs today while being flexible enough to work with the return system upgrade they had planned for the future.\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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\n\t\t\t\t\t\tThe library installed a flexAMH, a completely modular system that can be reconfigured as needs change.\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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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\nWith a performance sorting speed of up to 2,400 items per hour, the new automated materials handler works perfectly with the library\u2019s existing bins and is quieter than the old system. Easily reconfigured, it\u2019s ready to handle the new induction return system when it\u2019s installed next year.\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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flexAMH\u2122 makes returning and sorting easier than ever before<\/strong><\/h2>

The Richmond Hill Public Library<\/a> system in Ontario, Canada serves a population of more than 200,000 Richmond Hill residents through four branches. Its 60,000-square foot Central Library was built in 1993. In 2005, the system converted its collection to RFID<\/a> and two years later installed an automated materials handling solution. After nearly 10 years, the library knew it was time to replace the system in preparation for the fully automated patron return system they will be implementing next year.<\/p>

\u00a0<\/p>

Use Now, Use Later<\/strong><\/h3>

When the Central Library was built 24 years ago, it was outfitted with a conveyor belt system that shuttled materials from the check-in desk to the back room of the building where the materials were sorted by hand. Though the library upgraded to an AMH sorter in 2006, the original conveyor belt is still in use. When patrons drop their returned items into the slots in the old check-in desk, the conveyor belt moves the items through the library until they are dropped into a bin. The staff then manually unloads these bins and feeds the materials into the sorter.<\/p>

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Self-Service Checkout<\/a><\/strong><\/h4>

Next year, the library will be installing a Bibliotheca automated patron return and a new conveyor system which will fully automate the return process, but the library needed a new sorter now. After ten years, the old sorter was nearing the end of its useful life, and spare parts were difficult to source. The challenge for Richmond Hill Public Library was finding a solution that fit their needs today while being flexible enough to meet the needs of the near future. With its modular design and endless configuration options, the\u00a0new flexAMH\u2122<\/a>\u00a0fit the bill perfectly.<\/p>

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A Lego-Like Library Solution<\/strong><\/h4>

flexAMH<\/a>\u00a0is a modular solution that allows libraries to configure the system however they choose, effectively building their own custom solution at a cost-effective price point. Components can be added and rearranged as a library\u2019s needs change, and the entire system can be installed or moved in remarkably little time.<\/p>

\u201cThe\u00a0flexAMH<\/a>\u00a0was delivered Monday morning, and by 4:30 in the afternoon the entire 17-bin system was assembled and installed,\u201d said Dianne McLeod, Manager of Technologies \u2013 Digital Services. \u201cAfter it was set up, we realized that we needed to move it away from the wall a few inches to allow for more flexible movement of the bins. It took only an hour for the system to be dismantled, moved and put back together. It was a bit like watching Legos being fitted together.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>

The modular design also makes servicing the\u00a0flexAMH<\/a>\u00a0a breeze. Should a repair or replacement of an individual component be required, there is no need to dismantle the entire system. Everything was designed for quick access and easy support, ensuring systems continue to help with the flow of daily material handling.<\/p>

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Quieter, Faster, Better<\/strong><\/h4>

With a performance sorting speed of up to 2,400 items per hour, the new Bibliotheca\u00a0flexAMH<\/a>\u00a0processes materials faster than ever before, allowing libraries to get materials back on the shelves in record time. What\u2019s more, it\u2019s quieter than ever too.<\/p>

\u201cThe flexAMH is located in a room right off our open lobby. As I come down the staircases into the lobby, I can\u2019t even hear the sorter until I get right next to it. That was not the case the with the old sorter, you could always hear it,\u201d says McLeod.<\/p><\/blockquote>

\u00a0<\/p>

Works with Existing Bins<\/strong><\/h4>

Though Richmond Hill Public Library needed a new sorter, their bins were still in great shape. The new\u00a0flexAMH<\/a>\u00a0accommodates the old bins with no need for replacement or modification. Since Central Library operates a 17-bin sorter, this detail represented a large cost-savings for the library. The staff was delighted to discover that not only did the old bins fit the new sorter, they actually fit better than before.<\/p>

\u201cOur old sorter had partitions underneath, and the bins had to be lined up just so in order to slide into place. The new sorter doesn\u2019t have those partitions, and it makes it much easier for staff to slide the bins in and out quickly,\u201d says McLeod.<\/p><\/blockquote>

\u00a0<\/p>

Configurable Software<\/strong><\/h4>

The physical components aren\u2019t the only thing that can be configured on the new\u00a0flexAMH<\/a>. After watching the installers configure the sorter\u2019s software, McLeod felt confident enough to try her hand at it too.<\/p>

\u201cWe realized we\u2019d configured two different groups to drop into the same bin. After the installers left, I was able to go in myself and modify the configuration easily, making it quicker and easier for us to maintain ourselves,\u201d says McLeod.<\/p><\/blockquote>

\u00a0<\/p>

The Future of Richmond Hill Public Library<\/strong><\/h4>

Central Library will be upgrading to an induction system for patron returns next year, as well as bringing on a new conveyor system to replace the belts that have been in place since the branch was founded. The branch already has two\u00a0selfCheck 1000<\/a>\u00a0kiosks on hand, and they will be on the floor in the coming weeks.<\/p>

In the meantime, the Library is busy building a brand-new building for its Oak Ridges branch. \u201cOak Ridges has historically been housed in rented space,\u201d says McLeod. \u201cIt was supposed to be a temporary home, but the library has been there for 26 years! We\u2019re looking forward to meeting the growing needs of our community with a brand new, state-of-the-art 19,000-square foot facility.\u201d<\/p>

The new building will be outfitted with a bibliotheca\u00a0flexAMH sorter<\/a>\u00a0as well as selfCheck 1000s. Staff hopes to begin moving the collection into the new space in January 2018, with a goal of opening to the public in the spring.<\/p>\t\t\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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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\u201cThe flexAMH is located in a room right off our open lobby. As I come down the staircases into the lobby, I can\u2019t even hear the sorter until I get right next to it. That was not the case the with the old sorter, you could always hear it\"\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\tDianne McLeod<\/span>Manager of Technologies \u2013 Digital Services<\/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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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\u201cOur old sorter had partitions underneath, and the bins had to be lined up just so in order to slide into place. The new sorter doesn\u2019t have those partitions, and it makes it much easier for staff to slide the bins in and out quickly\"\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\tDianne McLeod<\/span>Manager of Technologies \u2013 Digital Services<\/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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Richmond Hill Public Library installs a modular flexAMH system to streamline returns today and prepare for fully automated patron returns in the future.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":27,"featured_media":23852,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[74,78],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-23034","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-library-stories","category-blog"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bibliotheca.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23034","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bibliotheca.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bibliotheca.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bibliotheca.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/27"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bibliotheca.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=23034"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.bibliotheca.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23034\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bibliotheca.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/23852"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bibliotheca.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23034"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bibliotheca.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=23034"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bibliotheca.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=23034"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}