According to Hunt, the system will allow item checkouts to be more efficient. RFID is the use of a wireless non-contact system that uses radio-frequency electromagnetic fields to transfer data from a tag attached to an object. This system will allow several items to be checked out all at once, versus one at a time.
Members of the board visited Brentwood City Library to see the technology in action. The department heads were honest about the pros and cons of the new system. According to Hunt, the Brentwood staff said they would never go back to their old system, despite some initial bumps.
Hunt will continue to look at libraries with the system and investigate the costs. The board will decide at a later meeting whether or not it will pursue the new system.
John Hagler, treasurer, said the state grant for more than $2,000 to the Craigmiles History Branch will be used for a digital obituary file.
“They are currently in the process of moving information from the cards into a digital format,” Hagler said.
Beth Mercer, director at the Ocoee River Regional Library, gave the annual document between the library board and the state. The document will be signed by Hunt and Tara Brown, chair, to ensure the same level of service is provided to the community by the library. This document allows the library to maintain the same budget, as well as apply for grants.
In additional news, board members nominated and voted on the following positions for the 2012-13 fiscal year: Tara Brown, chair; John Hagler, vice chair; Susan Lackey, treasurer; and Andrew Hunt, secretary. Phillip Jacobs has replaced former member Anne McReynolds, a city appointee to the board. McReynolds served on the board for 24 years.
The board recognized the years of commitment by Barbara Fagan, manager of the Cleveland and Bradley County Public Library’s History Branch. Fagan has worked with the library for more than 20 years. She will be retiring later this week.
Meg Campbell, president of Friends of the Library Association, said Mark Gimenez will be involved in a meet the author program this fall. Gimenez has written several well-received books, including “The Color of Law.”
“His first two books were well-received in America ... He is very popular in Europe,” Campbell said.
According to Campbell, several events have already been scheduled for the week. These include: a luncheon, a creative writing session with Gimenez, and a meeting with the general public. They will accommodate from 80 to several hundred people, depending on the event. More information will be provided as they draw closer.
Hunt presented year-end statistics to the board.
- The Bradley County Cleveland Public Library had 307,000 visits from 2011-12. These include visits to the bookmobile, History Branch, and main library. The number is up by 38,000 visits.
- Total checkout was 421,789. This was up by more than 32,000 from 2010-11. The increase is due to a larger bookmobile, ebooks, higher checkout rates from the children’s department, and an increase of more than 3,000 in the adult section.
- Total number of items added to the library is 11,021. Items thrown out due to wear and tear numbered 5,552.
