A new and advanced Automated Material Handling System, simply referred to as a Sorter, is being installed at our Aspen Drive Library this week. This system immediately checks in items returned by patrons and sorts them into different bins depending on format. What impact will this technology have on you? In addition to freeing up staff so that they can provide the best service possible, the Sorter provides increased overall efficiency:

• Accuracy of check in – The sorter is 100 percent accurate. When an item is returned through the Sorter’s slot, the item is automatically checked in, so there is no chance that an item you have returned will still show up as “checked out” in your account.
• Option of printing a receipt – For those patrons who have trouble keeping track of the items they return, or have had the experience of an item remaining on their account when they have returned it, this option offers great peace of mind.
• Patrons can immediately check out items with limits -- Many patrons simply want to return their DVDs or Hot Picks, quickly select other DVDs or Hot Picks, use our self check out, and go. Since items are immediately checked in upon return, checking new materials out right away will no longer be a problem.
• Efficiency of items returned to the shelves – Sorting materials into bins will increase the speed of returning items to the shelves.

Visit the Aspen Drive Library after the end of next week to see the Sorter in operation.