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Library reports RFID tag problems and rising Hoopla costs; vendors troubleshooting
Summary
Trustees heard ongoing technical issues with RFID tags and self-check systems and discussed Hoopla subscription costs. Staff said vendor work in Australia fixed an antenna problem but issues persisted locally; trustees asked for replacement estimates and further troubleshooting.
Staff briefed the trustees on technology issues affecting check-out and on-demand digital services.
Jennifer said the library has an intermittent RFID/tag read problem affecting items that carry a different frequency range. She reported FE Technologies installed new antennas that resolved an analogous issue in Australia but said the problem persists in Franklin. Staff and board discussed options including replacing affected tags and upgrading antennas; trustees asked staff to get replacement‑cost estimates and a remediation timeline from the vendor.
On digital materials, trustees again flagged Hoopla costs as a major subscription line. Staff said on-demand use has risen while Hoopla spending projects to roughly $19,000 annually under current usage assumptions; trustees asked collection and systems staff to present alternatives for on-demand content at future meetings.
Why it matters: RFID reliability affects circulation accuracy and customer service at self-checkouts; digital subscription costs affect the materials budget.
Key points and follow-up - RFID tags purchased in a certain period use a differing frequency; those tags intermittently fail to read. FE Technologies deployed replacement antennas but local reading problems remain. - Staff asked for a scope and cost estimate for replacing tags and any recommended hardware changes; trustees asked for an estimate to consider in the capital schedule. - Hoopla costs are high relative to other materials lines. Trustees asked staff to evaluate alternatives (library-driven on-demand, caps, or vendor negotiation) and to return with options that show circulation impact and cost comparisons.
Ending: Trustees asked staff to report back with vendor cost estimates for RFID remediation and a plan for Hoopla and other digital content options before budget adoption.
