News: The Sorter

Thank goodness (and the government) for the NY Public Library! After I lost my job, the library became a life saver. I used to buy a lot of books and also get them for free through my job. There has barely been a bump in my reading life since I started using the library. In fact, I'm reading more! I am so grateful -- for myself, and for all the people who depend on the library for access to life sustaining resources.

I think that is amazing. I love the library. I'm so thankful that I can borrow books and dvd's for free. What I really love it that I can reserve a book on my computer and get an email letting me know to pick it up.

The video would have been interesting if we were told the step-by-step process of a book getting from one branch to another using the new system. Showing books whiz by on a conveyor without explaining the process made the video underwhelming.

The Miraculous Sorter Submitted by Anonymous on May 4, 2010 - 7:27pm. This is so fabulous. I have been a lover of the NYPL since 1945 when my mother taught me to read. I spent so many days over the years at branches from Yorkville to Jefferson to 58th Street to the Lost Donnell and, naturally, the Big One as I used to say as a child. But never in all these years have I seen such a terrific new machine that will bring such wonderful experiences to all New Yorkers. Bravo/Brava to the NYPL. Subject: Comment: * This is so fabulous. I have been a lover of the NYPL since 1945 when my mother taught me to read. I spent so many days over the years at branches from Yorkville to Jefferson to 58th Street to the Lost Donnell and, naturally, the Big One as I used to say as a child. But never in all these years have I seen such a terrific new machine that will bring such wonderful experiences to all New Yorkers. Bravo/Brava to the NYPL.

it's very nice

Glad to hear the library is trying to cut time between reserve requests and delivery to the patron, especially since reducing requests nimbers to ten and slowing delivery. The reserve system is the best part of the libray for me.

What a sorry video!! What we want to see is more about the SORTER itself... how it works! How does this wonderful machine know where to put the books?? We see them sliding into bins. Explain! Show the path of one book, for instance. Cut out the non-music and give us some information. This could have been very amusing and instructive.

The sorter looks way cool but I'm wondering if people lost good jobs because of it. Does anyone know?

Wow, this was great. I've always wondered how NYPL handles all these hold requests. It seems like magic that I can place a hold on a book and pick it up a few days later with my name and member number right on the shelf. Thanks for investing in this technology!

Awwww i am very disappointed that when trying to view the video I got only the message: stream not found I hope it is fixed soon

This is the same thing that UPS does.

Yes, they just said in their video they cut the time of work of 2/3 of their staffs.

Amazing service, the NYPL rocks.

Terrific idea. Behind-the-scenes processes can be fascinating, but it would have been so much more interesting to learn how the automated sorting is actually achieved, the technology behind the process.

What happened to the two-thirds of the sorting staff that were made redundant? I've long complained about the sloooooow nature of NYPL's book transfers. It was the one complaint I've ever had about the entire system, which I love and support. And I've noticed the recent new speed of transfers and truly appreciate it. But I would rather wait weeks and know some folks are employed than get my book tomorrow. In this economy, if these workers were laid off, it would be a tragedy.

No NYPL jobs were lost as a result of automating sorter operation. To achieve the sorters amazing speed and efficiency a full complement of sorting staff is required. We have the same number of full-time permanent staff now as we did before we installed the automated sorter. Through the automated sorters’ speed and efficiency, the library was able to eliminate the use of non-library temporary hourly workers that were used during heavy sorting volume days. The automated sorter also allows us to eliminate many hours of costly, unwanted overtime that was exhausting the staff. This has created much-needed economic savings during difficult financial times and boosted staff morale. Sal Magaddino Assistant Director of Logistics, Distribution, and Collection Processing for the New York Public Library

No NYPL jobs were lost. But jobs were lost. In your own words "the library was able to eliminate the use of non-library temporary hourly workers". Great machine, well done, congratulations. But lets not try to hide the costs.

We have a similar machine and I must say I am surprised that you have to manually put items on the belts. Good luck.

There are a number of books in yesterday's New York Times Review which you don't have yet. This has been going on for the last few years. Just a few years ago all of the titles in the Times would have been on order or in the branches by Monday. What's happened?

Very amazing. I got inspired by the technology, and wish that can be done in Kuala Lumpur Library