New Sorter Streamlines Murrieta Library

The Murrieta Public Library gets 15 crates of returned books a day delivered from surrounding libraries, plus what are returned by more than 1,100 cardholders who come through the doors each day. All those books and other library items must then be checked in and returned to the shelf, ready for the next go around.

The Library has had to close twice in the last year just to catch up with backlogs of returned books, according to Library Services Director Loretta McKinney.

But all that has changed in the last two weeks, and residents who have visited the Library recently may have noticed a new look to the front counter.

The relocation of self check-outs stations to the front counter were part of a larger remodeling project to make way for a new bin sorter. The improvements ultimately provide better service to cardholders by alleviating the workload of staff, McKinney said.

The sorter was put into full operation two weeks ago. When a book is placed into the inside book return, the sorter reads its radio frequency, checks it in, then routes it on a conveyor belt to the correct bin according to category.

"Before, staff was handling the books up to four times," McKinney said, adding that the sorter cuts down on labor injuries such as carpal tunnel.

Four steps have become one. Books, CDs, DVDs and other library items are already in the bins by category. Staff simply takes the books from the bin, places them on a cart and puts them on the shelf.

The sorter, made by 3M, has been on the wish list for quite some time for McKinney. She seized the opportunity when the Library passed its four-year audit and received a return under a California library construction bond act.

"We were shocked when we got notice that we were going to get the money," McKinney said. "It was just really great luck."

It was enough to purchase the $241,695 sorter, of which she'd done her homework on. She'd visited libraries throughout Southern California including Hemet and Temecula, to see sorters already in place. The final product for the is the first of its kind and size in Southern California, and is "very quiet."

The sorter has already begun alleviating the staff's workload when it comes to book handling, and cardholders seem to be getting the gist of it.

"It is not so much confusion as it is trying to learn new habits," McKinney said, not only for staff, but for cardholders.

It was the first visit since the changes for Anni Schillace of Wildomar, who was concerned it would eliminate jobs at the library.

McKinney said the sorter did not replace any employees. Rather, it has enabled them fulfill other parts of their job descriptions.

"We have an extremely creative and energetic staff, and I think people come here because it is community and they want to interact. We will still be here for people, just in a better way."

McKinney is also trying to add credit and debit options for cardholders. The upgrade would allow cardholders to pay fees from home, and to add credit to their cards without having to seek help from a counter person. Credits are used to make copies, print from computers and pay for various other Library services.