Norcross, Ga. – The Metropolitan Library System of Oklahoma County is installing a 21-bin automated materials handing (AMH) sorting system from the Integrated Technology Group (ITG), a division of Vernon Library Supplies, Inc. The automated materials handing system will work in conjunction with the library’s custom designed radio frequency identification (RFID) integrated library system (ILS), developed by the deputy executive director/technology, Jim Welch.

The Metropolitan Library System, which serves more than 420,000 patrons in a 60-mile radius, is currently constructing a service center building that will house the sorting system. The building is scheduled for completion in the fall of 2009.

“Our library system has 17, soon to be 18, libraries, and we decided that a central sorting system would help our staff work more efficiently and more ergonomically,” said Anne Fischer, director of information technology. “We have one bin for each library, and bins for exception items. Once the items are sorted, we deliver them to each branch in our system.”

Fischer expects to process more than a million items through the sorter in the first year. According to Fischer, the technical processing department will also be using the system to process new materials for all libraries.

About Integrated Technology Group
Integrated Technology Group (www.integratedtek.com) develops, markets, and supports library automation technologies that empower librarians to make operations more efficient and better serve their patrons. ITG’s products include patron self-checkout, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), Automated Materials Handling (AMH) systems, computer reservations, and print cost recovery. With over 30 years experience in the library industry, ITG combines smart technology and progressive design to create standard solutions that can be easily customized to meet site-specific requirements. ITG, a division of Vernon Library Supplies, Inc., is headquartered in Norcross, Georgia.

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