Sweet Home officials hope to automate the Sweet Home Public Library by spring.
“Pat (Gray, city finance director) and I have been researching for quite a long time,” said Library Director Leona McCann Thursday evening during a Library Board meeting. “Between us and the Friends of the Library, we should manage this in fine style.”
The automation will allow books to be scanned. Users will be able to find books in the database on up to 10 computer terminals that will be available for staff and patron use. The system will help staff organize and track the library’s collection.
Other features available at libraries throughout the state and nation include on-line browsing of the library’s collection over the Internet. Checkout may be automated, as it is in Lebanon and Albany. Patrons may be able to reserve books on-line, and if the software is compatible, they may be able to order a book from other area libraries.
“Instead of looking at a card file, they want to click, click, click, find it,” Gray said.
Some 220 libraries in Oregon have been automated, according to information provided by Gray.
McCann and other officials have been hoping to automate for more than a decade.
During previous inquiries, the cost was close to $40,000, McCann said. She is hoping that has changed, with funding provided by the Friends of the Library and the city.
The city will send out requests for proposals to library software firms likely by the end of the month, said City Manager Craig Martin.
Gray identified seven companies that were ranked highly by customers to receive the RFPs, although any firm can respond.
Among those, two companies offer remote management of the library’s collection, an approach called “open source.”
Officials will set an end-of-the-year deadline for responses.
The city will have 90 days afterward to accept a bid, Martin said.
The Library Board, city officials, city councilors, Friends of the Library and patrons will form a committee to review the proposals.
Gray said she would like to have the new system in place and running before May when the library’s operating levy is up for renewal in an election.