On Dec. 16, the Innovations Team presented an Innovations Award to the Library for its Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) System, which provides faster, more accurate check-out and check-in of library materials.

The RFID System has proved a big hit with library patrons. The old system used a bar code to tag items that had to be scanned one at a time. The new system allows patrons to check out a stack of books in the same time it would take to scan a single barcode. Some users even call it “magic.” Checking in books has become much faster as well.

Self-check out increased 70 percent within a month of implementing the new system. It saved staff time and customer time. Staff are now free to help customers with more complex circulation tasks and reference questions. Customers no longer have to wait in long check-out lines. Even children can check out their own books. Returned items are shelved much more quickly.

The new system also allows people to see how much they owe in fines and accepts credit cards. As a result, more people are paying their fines.

The entire Library staff worked to retag every item in its 180,000 volume collection. The Innovations Award was presented to the team that worked to select a vendor and coordinated the system’s implementation. Team members Candy Moseley, Michelle Cervantes, David Wongwai, Tricia Brauer and Dale Ricklefs received Certificates of Recognition and Letters of Commendation. They also each received a half day off for the last quarter of 2010. Congratulations!

The Innovations Award recognizes City employees who have implemented any project that is fresh, creative or inventive and that saves time, saves money, improves morale, performance, safety, service to customers or the community.

If you have a project you’d like to be considered for the award, contact one of the Innovations Team members.