Material Handling for Libraries

Next Generation SolutionsHiggins, 2016

A Common Problem - Transportation• Larger Libraries with the following special

requirements: Special Collections Archives Book Repair areas High-density storage Separate Buildings

How to move items with minimal touches?

Track Vehicle System Transport Books/Media 20+ lbs. Horizontal / Vertical Clean & Quiet 2 feet per second 3 Different Solutions

Multi-Floor Buildings

Remote Storage 300,000+

Books/Media Unusual

Architecture Modern & High-

Tech Facility

Archives /

Book Repairs

Checkout

CheckoutBook

Returns

Special

Collections

Special

Collections

Remote

storage

Connect all areas of the

library

Library MegaTrends

20-50% Books/Media that are Circulated Annually

10% More Staff, but Fewer Librarians

100% Change in Library Design / Use

Sources: Public Library Data Service Report, Various years

Transport can be the

bottleneck

Typical Circulation processTIME REQUIRED• Fully Manual Process:

48-72 hours

• With Automated Sorter:

24-48 hours

• With Automated Transport:

4 hours

book return

sorting

transportstoring

lending

Automated transport is the key factor to reducing media

circulation times

External Process

Internal Processes

Integrates book logistics with Transport

Process

Actuallogisticsprocess

Book return Sorting Transport Storing

Reading room / lending

SorterBook storage / Public lending

Book return machine

PublicArea Internal logistics

Transport

Integrated

Three Transport Options

Multiple books2

Transport Horizontally or Vertically a container of books or media

Individual books1

Transport Horizontally or Vertically, Clean and Quiet individual items

Bins3

Transport Horizontally or Vertically bins. Move larger payloads up to 130 lbs.

Photos Courtesy: Telelift GmbH

Major Benefits1. Connect all areas of Library together2. 20+ lbs. per transport3. Up to 900 Transports per hour4. Low power usage5. Protected and gentle transport of valuable

goods

Major Challenges1. Needs planning2. Staff Training3. Maintenance required4. Higher Initial Cost5. Resistance to Change

Case Study – Public LibraryStuttgart City Library

Total Investment 90 MUSD Book return, transport and storing

technology = 2.0 MUSD. 2% of total investment

Book inventory 500,000 Books 4.000 books checked-out / day Labor cost reduction savings results in ~3

year payback

Photos Courtesy: Telelift GmbH

Case Study – National Library

China National Library Book return, transport and storing technology =

2.0MUSD Book inventory 30 Million Books 2.500 book checked-out / day Labor cost reduction savings results in ~4 year

payback

Photos Courtesy: Telelift GmbH

Case Study – Scientific LibraryAlgiers Grande Mosque Library

Total Library Investment ~ $50 MUSD Book return, transport and storing

technology = 2% of total library investment

Book inventory 1.0 Million 1.400 book checked-out / day Labor cost reduction savings results in ~4

year payback

Photos Courtesy: Telelift GmbH