By Earlene H. Arnett
Director
Scott County Public Library
On June 10th the Scott County Public Library cut the ribbons for “Library Express Sadieville.” Approximately 60 citizens attended the ribbon cutting and summer reading kick-off with demonstrations, magic show, bookmobile and ice cream. And right on key, as the library director gave the agenda for the day, a break was taken as the train passed through. I believe this was a sign that we had blessings from the founders of Sadieville!
Library Express Sadieville consists of a book return box, kiosk, and lockers all conveniently located in a small three sided shelter attached to Sadieville City Hall. The kiosk contains the library database and allows anyone with a Scott County Public Library card to search for items and place them on hold indicating they want to pick them up at the Sadieville location. Library staff will deliver the items, place them in the lockers and notify the patron that their items are ready for pick-up. Entering the last five digits of your library card will allow the proper locker to open. With the system being located outside city hall, request and pick-up is available twenty-four hours a day. When you are ready to return the items you can simply drop them in the return box located at the site.
This project was a team effort. My first step was to work closely with the Mayor of Sadieville. I attended their city council meeting and presented the concept and asked for permission to continue the project with the location being at city hall. With their approval the project began. The equipment needs some protection from the extreme weather so we contracted with a local (Sadieville) carpenter to build us a three-sided structure. The carpenter took great pride in helping us with this project and the final structure looks like it was original to the building! The city of Sadieville may be small but the city clerk has a database of residents and produces a newsletter called “The Sadieville Sunshine.” We were able to advertise our event through their newsletter.
My favorite Sadieville story - a little girl got her first library card at the bookmobile during that Sunday celebration. On Monday we had a request for books from her. The family is regularly requesting items!
The Library Express project is designed to bring library service closer to our outlying communities. First stop for this project was Sadieville but more will be coming. Look out Stamping Ground, population 643, the express is moving your way.
It’s a changing world and we know that the public library needs to change to meet our community’s needs. We are looking for more ways to save time, money and energy for our patrons. In Sadieville, Library Express Sadieville can be the answer. As librarians we know a library card is the most valuable card you carry. For our Northern Scott County residents they can use it often - now in Sadieville!
Footnote: as librarians you are now asking yourself how much does this cost and who is the vendor? The kiosk and library lockers will cost $50,000 and are from LEID Products. John Kormanik is the sales representative. He came along with the technician for the installation and training. We didn’t ask City Hall to share internet connections. We are providing our own. City Hall does provide the electricity. Since our location didn’t have a sheltered area we had a shelter custom made. Currently drop-off service is done three times a week. We will continue to monitor and adjust this schedule as needed. We have also included in next year’s budget funds for a small economical vehicle for deliveries.
Contact:
Georgia H. Whalen
GWhalen@LEIDProducts.com
978 / 697 – 2664
LEID Products Attending the American Libraries Association Annual Conference
LEID Products to Showcase their iLibrary System Including Kiosk and Electronic Lockers at Booth 625 - A Complete Self-Service ‘Mini’ Library Solution
Auburn Hills, MI – June 19, 2012 – LEID Products, LLC., the leader in electronic locker and cabinet storage with biometric asset protection and control, today announced they will be attending the American Libraries Association Annual Conference June 21-26 in Anaheim, CA. LEID will showcase their iLibrary System in booth number 625 while at the show.
The largest event in the library community, the American Libraries Association Annual Conference brings together over 25,000 librarians, educators, authors, publishers, literacy experts, illustrators and the leading suppliers to the market.
LEID’s iLibrary System provides public libraries with the opportunity to expand outreach of the library facility to serve growing populations and further their mission of being the ‘Center of the Community’. In areas where population or budget constraints cannot efficiently support a facility, the self-service iLibrary System can be used to meet outreach goals.
LEID Products iLibrary System includes the kiosk interfaced with LEID’s Electronic Modular Access Units to offer a complete ‘mini’ library solution. Sometimes referred to as a ‘Library Express’, the iLibrary System provides communities with complete self-service access to library materials and can be placed at the location of the library for extended hours, or at other locations including community centers, retirement communities, commuter stations or malls for the convenience of library patrons.
The iLibrary solution has received accolades across the country. In December of 2011 Washington and Carver County Libraries in Minnesota won a state award for their ‘Library Express’ developed by LEID Products. The Library Express was launched in July 2010 as a pilot program to bring services to communities such as Hugo and Victoria, which do not have a full service library. The first of its kind in Minnesota, the Library Express proved to be an innovative and cost-effective way to expand access to library services.
Earlier this year, LEID Products unveiled new enhancements to the iLibrary Kiosk, which serves as the point of access and interfaces with Electronic Modular Access Units that house the library materials ordered. Visit LEID at the ALA Annual Conference, booth 625, to learn more about the iLibrary solution.
Law Enforcement Intelligent Devices (LEID), LLC is the leader in electronic locker and cabinet storage with biometric asset protection and control. Originally founded to assist police departments in securing guns, weapons, radios, etc. through an electronic tracking and fingerprinting system, LEID products are also utilized to track books within a library system, medical supplies, laptops and even business documents to selected personnel. Their Biometric Access Control Systems (BACS™) streamlines operations and provides full accountability for critical business assets. For more information and demonstrations of our products, visit www.leidproducts.com.
LEID Products Installs ‘Mini’ Library at a Shell Gas Station in Madison County Kentucky
Using LEID Products Electronic Lockers, Madison County Public Library Expands their ‘Library-on-the-GO’ Program to Meet Growing Patron Demand
Auburn Hills, MI - May 15, 2012 - LEID Products, LLC., the leader in electronic locker and cabinet storage with biometric asset protection and control, today announced Madison County Public Library has extended library access to patrons through the installation of a third Library-on-the-GO (LOTG) location in the northern part of Madison County Kentucky. Busier-than-ever schedules, $4 a gallon gas, the continuing love of reading and need for information are the elements driving the expansion of the Library’s popular LOTG program. The new location opened Friday April 20th at Dishman’s Shell west of Exit 95 on Interstate 75.
“The Library-on-the-GO program helps us serve our 42,000 card holders better by giving them greater access to library materials and saving them time and gas. Use of library materials and services continues to grow in Madison County, and we’re thrilled to be able to encourage that growth through this program,” said Ruthie Maslin, director of Madison County’s public library system. “These mini libraries offer a book drop for customers to return materials plus LEID’s electronic locker system that allows customers to put books on hold and have them delivered to the Library-on-the-GO location closest to them.”
“We have been very happy with the security, durability and ease-of-use of LEID’s electronic lockers,” Maslin stated when asked about the performance of LEID’s self-service electronic lockers.
The LOTG program began with its first installation in 2010 and has been very well received by patrons who value the convenience. The existing locations in Waco/Moberly and Kingston serve library users in the western part of the county more distant from the main library locations in Richmond and Berea. This third location is in the northern sector of the county, about 7 miles from the closest full service branch.
According to Maslin, locations for the LOTG have been chosen based on community gather points. The businesses asked to host these mini libraries, have been very welcoming and accommodating. Two of the LOTG’s are at gas stations, Dishman’s Shell and Cole Moberly Shell, and one is a located outside Dollar Valu Plus, a retail shop.
Madison County Public Library delivers materials to LOTG locations three times a week. The self-service mini library system encompasses LEID’s Electronic Modular Access Units with keypad access and a library drop box for returning materials. The outside locations allow for 24/7 patron access. To use LOTG, patrons obtain a special LOTG sticker from the Richmond or Berea library branch. Library items can be placed on hold online or by phone using the special sticker code. Patrons have three days to pick up their holds after receiving notification their materials have been delivered to their selected LOTG.
The new LOTG location at Dishman’s Shell was made possible through a donation from the Madison County Athenaeum in honor of Sue Hays, the library’s first director who retired in 2010.
Often referred to as a ‘Library Express’, the concept of a self-service mini library branch has been growing in popularity across the nation. Public libraries continue to be faced with flat budgets, increased demands for services, and constricted open hours while the cost for construction and personnel continues to escalate. The self-service solution allows public libraries to provide library access where demand is insufficient to support a traditional ‘brick and mortar’ library.
LEID’s self-service library solutions include the option of various configurations of electronic lockers and cabinets and the option to include the innovative self-service iLibrary Kiosk which allows patrons to browse and order library materials at the site of the mini library branch. LEID recently announced Version 2.0 of the iLibrary Kiosk, which includes enhancements to its sleek tamper proof construction and larger kiosk screen for additional security and functionality.
For more information on the Madison County LOTG program, contact Ruthie Maslin, director of Madison County’s public library system at 859-623-6704 or 859-408-3973.
For more information on LEID Products self-service library solutions, contact John Kormanik, LEID Products senior account manager at 614-527-7824 or 614-565-2906.
Law Enforcement Intelligent Devices (LEID), LLC is the leader in electronic locker and cabinet storage with biometric asset protection and control. Originally founded to assist police departments in securing guns, weapons, radios, etc. through an electronic tracking and fingerprinting system, LEID products are also utilized to track books within a library system, medical supplies, laptops and even business documents to selected personnel. Their Biometric Access Control Systems (BACSTM) streamlines operations and provides full accountability for critical business assets. For more information and demonstrations of our products, visit www.leidproducts.com.
The Georgetown News Graphic recently published an article by Earlene Arnett, the director of the Scott County Public Library, ‘May brings flowers and extended library services to Sadieville‘. The new self-service “Library Express Sadieville” will offer extended library access to patrons through the introduction of the LEID’s iLibrary System.
‘Library Express Sadieville’ will include LEID’s iLibrary Computer Kiosk interfaced with LEID’s Electronic Modular Access Units to offer a total “Express Library” solution. Patrons can access the Library through the iLibrary Computer Kiosk and browse for the materials to reserve. Using their library card number they are able to reserve materials to be picked up from the electronic lockers. Patrons will receive an email or phone call with access code when their materials are available for pick up. Returns can be made to a convenient book drop.
According to Arnette, “The library will make deliveries and pick-ups twice a week. Service will be closely monitored and the schedule will be adjusted to meet the demand. The iLibrary System gives us an opportunity to expand on what our bookmobile has done for years – bring life-long learning to our rural areas. Library Express Sadieville is not designed to replace bookmobile service but to enhance our outreach program and add convenience for our patrons in the far northern section of our county.”
LEID Products to Implement iLibrary System in Sadieville, Kentucky Scott County Public Library to Offer iLibrary System, Standalone Service Branch for the Community at City Hall
Auburn Hills, MI - March 27, 2012 - LEID Products, LLC., the leader in electronic locker and cabinet storage with biometric asset protection and control, today announced Scott County Public Library will offer extended library access to patrons through the introduction of the iLibrary System in Sadieville, KY. As part of a five year strategic plan, based on library needs as stated from the community, library staff determined a standalone, self-service branch outside of City Hall in Sadieville is an economical flexible solution to increase visibility and provide expanded access to library services. The system will be available after a ribbon cutting ceremony on June 10, 2012.
LEID Products today also announced new enhancements to the iLibrary Kiosk, which serves as the point of access and interfaces with Electronic Modular Access Units that house the library materials ordered. The new kiosk includes a larger screen, a sleeker, more modern appeal, and the entire system is tamperproof to ensure system safety in public areas.
Scott County Public Library will deliver materials to the system in Sadieville three times a week. The self-service iLibrary System encompasses the new iLibrary Kiosk, LEID’s electronic cabinet/lockers and a library drop box for returning materials. The library is also planning to build a three wall shelter so the system can be accessed 24/7. Patrons can browse materials online or directly through LEID’s iLibrary System Kiosk. Orders are placed through the kiosk or remotely via the internet using their library card number and patrons can choose to receive an email or phone call with access code when their materials are available.
“The iLibrary System gives an opportunity to expand on what our bookmobile has done for years - bring life-long learning to our rural areas,” said Earlene Arnette, Scott County Library Director. With the Scott County Public Library located in the southern end of Scott County, Arnette realized there was the need for library access in the more rural northern end of the county where library patrons have to travel 15 miles to visit the library.
“Our facility goal is to “expand the outreach of the library facility to serve the growing population of Scott County and further the mission of being the “Center of the Community.” Library facility refers to all physical services of the library regardless of location,” stated Arnette in her January 4, 2012 Georgetown News-Graphic column. “When discussing services for our outlying communities of Stamping Ground and Sadieville, we looked at outreach as a way to service these areas without building branches in areas where population cannot efficiently support a facility. Included in this goal will be the expansion of outreach services by creating drop off and pick up services in community areas.”
The county also intends to install the iLibrary System in the community of Stamping Ground, which is located in the northern part of Scott County.
Law Enforcement Intelligent Devices (LEID), LLC is the leader in electronic locker and cabinet storage with biometric asset protection and control. Originally founded to assist police departments in securing guns, weapons, radios, etc. through an electronic tracking and fingerprinting system, LEID products are also utilized to track books within a library system, medical supplies, laptops and even business documents to selected personnel. Their Biometric Access Control Systems (BACSTM) streamlines operations and provides full accountability for critical business assets. For more information and demonstrations of our products, visit www.leidproducts.com.
LEID Products Announces Version 2.0 of the iLibrary Kiosk Secure, Rugged and Tamper Proof Library Access System Made Possible by LEID Products
Auburn Hills, MI - March 27, 2012 - LEID Products, LLC., the leader in electronic locker and cabinet storage with biometric asset protection and control, today announced version 2.0 of its iLibrary Kiosk. LEID Products iLibrary System includes the kiosk interfaced with LEID’s Electronic Modular Access Units to offer a complete “Express Library” solution. The iLibrary System provides communities with extended library hours, complete self-service access to library materials and can be placed at the location of the library for extended hours, or at other locations including community centers, retirement communities, commuter stations or malls for the convenience of library patrons.
Public libraries often face budget cuts but also increased demand for services due to cost conscious families who still wish to stay enriched and entertained. The LEID Products iLibrary System is a cost effective solution for libraries to make materials more accessible to all patrons, one of their top priorities. The system provides an innovative way to deliver services to areas where a full-service library may not be close by.
Library patrons can browse materials online or directly through LEID’s iLibrary System Kiosk. Orders are placed through the kiosk or remotely via the internet using their library card number. The patron will receive an email with access code when their materials are available. New enhancements to the iLibrary Kiosk include a larger 19″ screen, a sleeker, more modern appeal, durable 14-gauge steel construction and the entire system is tamperproof to ensure system safety in public areas.
“The initial concept for a self-service library originated in 2004 when library systems in greater Minnesota sought federal funds unsuccessfully while the needs of underserved residents remained unmet,” said David Foster, Vice President of Engineering, LEID Products, LLC. “Libraries across the nation continue to face flat budgets, increased demands for services, and constricted open hours while the cost for construction and personnel continues to escalate. Our iLibrary System is a cost effective way to provide library access to an extended number of communities. We are very proud to announce the enhancements we have made to the system kiosk.”
Law Enforcement Intelligent Devices (LEID), LLC is the leader in electronic locker and cabinet storage with biometric asset protection and control. Originally founded to assist police departments in securing guns, weapons, radios, etc. through an electronic tracking and fingerprinting system, LEID products are also utilized to track books within a library system, medical supplies, laptops and even business documents to selected personnel. Their Biometric Access Control Systems (BACSTM) streamlines operations and provides full accountability for critical business assets. For more information and demonstrations of our products, visit www.leidproducts.com.
Minnesota’s Washington and Carver County Libraries Win State Award for Library Express System Developed by LEID Products
Auburn Hills, MI-based LEID Products, LLC announce Washington and Carver County Libraries in Minnesota were presented with a state award last week for their ‘Express Library’ developed by LEID Products. The Express Library was launched in July 2010 as a pilot program to bring services to communities such as Hugo and Victoria, which do not have a full service library. The first of its kind in Minnesota, the Library Express is an innovative and cost-effective way to expand access to library services.
iLibrary Kiosk
Carver County Library Director, Melissa Brechon, and Washington County Library Director, Patricia Conley, spearheaded the pilot program and accepted the Association of Minnesota Counties (AMC) Achievement Award for the Library Express model at the 2011 AMC Annual Conference in downtown Minneapolis, December 5th.
“Winning this award is very gratifying; there has been skepticism among some library directors as to the value of this type of service. This award validates there is great application for these systems to meet the needs of the community,” said Patricia Conley. “The key to our success has been placement, just as in any marketing project, we researched and evaluated where to locate these systems based on community gathering places. Whether that is a community center, an ice rink, or a shopping plaza depends on the community. You make it convenient for the residents of that community to pick up their library materials where they are already going. Our patrons love the ease of browsing for library materials on our website or at the Express Library kiosk and then we deliver to them, rather than them coming to us.”
The iLibrary Express kiosk, developed by LEID, was installed inside Hugo City Hall 18 months ago to provide that city access to Washington County library materials. Materials can also be requested from any other computer with Internet access. Materials are delivered to LEID’s secure electronic lockers outside Hugo City Hall, making them available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Library customers are notified by e-mail, and can use their library card number to retrieve materials at their convenience. Returns can be made to a book return in the same location.
LEID’s Library Express system was also installed in the Victoria recreation center in Carver County. Both counties used a federal Institutes of Museum and Library Services grant of $140,000 to purchase the equipment.
LEID’s Electronic Lockers for Express Library pick-up available 24/7 outside Hugo City Hall in Minnesota.
Because of the high rate of use, the locker system in Washington County was doubled from 20 to 40 lockers this past January. LEID’s iLibrary kiosk system will be installed this month in two additional new locations, Marine on St. Croix and Newport.
The initial concept for using self-service library kiosks originated in 2004 when metro-area libraries joined other library systems in greater Minnesota in seeking federal funds for a pilot project. The original quest for funds was never realized, but the needs of underserved residents remained. The libraries across the state, as with libraries across the nation, continue to be faced with flat budgets, increased demands for services, and constricted open hours while the cost for construction and personnel continues to escalate.
Washington County and Carver County Libraries persisted in their quest to fill the void of library access for these underserved residents, making it an important goal in long-range planning for both their library systems. In 2009, Washington and Carver County partnered in applying for a federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant. Their persistence was rewarded with a LSTA grant of $140,000 to purchase the equipment. By joining together, the two county library systems were able to test different venues by providing access to library services through the self-contained systems that allow library customers access to materials through LEID’s self-service lockers and iLibrary kiosk.
The self-service Express Library allows public libraries to provide library access where demand is insufficient to support a traditional library. Their success demonstrates that there is interest in replicating these projects throughout Minnesota and throughout the country. As reported in the Minnesota newspaper, Stillwater Gazette; the Express Library solution is an innovative and affordable stepping stone between no physical library in a community and building a traditional “bricks and mortar” library branch.
About LEID Products
Law Enforcement Intelligent Devices (LEID), LLC was originally founded to assist police departments in securing their assets (guns, weapons and radios) through an electronic tracking and fingerprinting system. LEID’s products since have been utilized to track many other type of assets such as; books, tapes and magazines within a library system; medical supplies, laptops and even the securing of business documents to selected personnel. For more information and to see on-line demonstrations of our products, log on to www.leidproducts.com.
Article Excerpt on LEID Products customer: Carver County earns national honor for their express library. See link at the end of the excerpt to read the entire Chaska Herald article.
The National Association of Counties (NACo), a national organization representing county governments across America, has awarded two Carver County programs with its 2011 Achievement Award.
Carver County’s “Victoria Express Library” and the Oak Grove City Center, a joint project with the City of Norwood Young America and the Carver County Community Development Agency (CDA), each earned recognition as effective and creative programs that demonstrate Carver County’s work to provide quality and efficient government, according to a Carver County press release.
NACo recognized the “Victoria Express Library” as an innovative pilot project that extends useful and cost-effective library services to the residents of Carver County. This project, the first of its kind in Minnesota, was funded by a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) in cooperation with State Library Services, a division of the Minnesota Department of Education, and was awarded to Carver and Washington County Libraries in 2009. The “Victoria Express Library” is located within the City of Victoria Recreation Center and provides citizens the ability to pick up and return library materials they have reserved using the library website: www.carverlib.org. Over 115 citizens utilized this express service between July and December 2010, prompting the Library to install a second “Express Library” location within the City of Cologne’s City Hall.
“Our communities are seeing substantial growth and we need to find solutions to meeting the demands of such growth. The Victoria Express Library provides increased access to services in a cost efficient manner and has been a tremendous success,” stated Carver County Board Chair Randy Maluchnik.
Jacksonville Public Library has been add to our growing list of happy LEID Products customers. Jacksonville is using our Access.it Electronic Lockers to offer their new ’Oceanway Express”, a self-service library express branch patrons can access 24/7!
Visit us at the American Libraries Association’s (ALA) Annual Conference and Exhibit, Booth #416 to see a demonstration of our new self-service ‘Library Express’.
LEID Products sent three representatives to participate in the ALA’s National Library Legislative Day on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. last week to encourage lawmakers to pass federal legislation crucial to the country’s libraries. LEID Products is the manufacturing leader of electronic modular access units for libraries across the country. Taking a 21st century approach, the iLibrary system improves accessibility to patrons, increases circulation and streamlines operations with a cost effective “Express Library” solution. Libraries are essential to communities, providing a vital link to resources that help America’s families, students and professionals access information they need today to ensure a successful tomorrow.
Our next event with the American Library Association is their annual Conference & Exhibition held in New Orleans, June 23-28, 2011. LEID Products will be demonstrating our ‘Express Library’ solution including our iLibrary Kiosk and Electronic Locker System. We invite all attendees to stop by our booth #416. Our recent Carver County Express Library Project Experience Study details the success of the Carver County ‘Express Library’ Pilot Program.
We are always interested in feedback. Please Call or email us with your comments, suggestions or questions on our products or new Library Project Experience Study. Hope to see you in New Orleans!
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“The iLibrary System gives an opportunity to expand on what our bookmobile has done for years - bring life-long learning to our rural areas,” said Earlene Arnette, Scott County Library Director. With the Scott County Public Library located in the southern end of Scott County, Arnette realized there was the need for library access in the more rural northern end of the county where library patrons have to travel 15 miles to visit the library.
