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totalAMH Delivers for Patrons and Staff at Smith Library (Wylie, TX)

March 20, 2023

Service to patrons and staff efficiency at the Rita & Truett Smith Library in Wylie, Texas improved dramatically after a Tech Logic totalAMH replaced another vendor’s outdated system.

“The drive-up book drop for the new totalAMH is so fast now that patrons don’t have to return one item at a time,” says Library Director Ofilia Barrera. “And patrons no longer have to get out of their cars and walk up to the exterior book drop.”

Ofilia Barrera, Library Director, with newly-installed totalAMH system.
“The new totalAMH is fast, quiet and never jams,” said Ofilia Barrera, Library Director at Rita & Truett Smith Library in Wylie, Texas. “Staff can also easily re-program the sorting profile to handle returns 24/7 on nights, weekends and holidays.”

Barrera had several goals for the project to improve service and efficiency:

- Create a functional drive-up book drop for patrons;

- Improve the speed and convenience of returns for patrons;

- Eliminate the sorter jams causing headaches for staff;

- Reduce the noise of the old system located off the staff workroom;

- Improve ergonomics for staff working with the AMH.

Another item on Barrera’s AMH wish list was that the new system would re-use the library’s existing book drop cutout—avoiding expensive new cuts into the library’s thick stone wall. “Other vendors told me it couldn’t be done. Our Tech Logic Sales consultant, Tim Lawson, assured me that his team would figure out how to do it. And they did!”

Ultimately, Tech Logic’s design incorporated the existing exterior wall cutout and added a “bump-out” on the book drop to make drive-up returns functional.

“Patrons noticed that they could drive right up to the new drop and return materials by the handful—not one at a time like before. That completely eliminated lines of cars waiting to return materials.”

The totalAMH system’s drive-up return receives items by the handful. According to Barrera, this fast and simple induction “completely eliminated lines of cars waiting to return materials.”

Library staff benefit from the speed and reliability of the five-bin totalAMH. “Staff had to clear multiple jams every day on the old AMH. The new totalAMH is fast, quiet and never jams,” added Barrera. “Staff can also easily re-program the sorting profile to handle returns 24/7 on nights, weekends and holidays.”

Staff also gain better ergonomics with staff induction onto the totalAMH and with taller bins that don’t require reaching down to clear them.

Finally, Barrera “can’t say enough about our positive experience working with Tech Logic. They stood out from the beginning. Every person we worked with from the company was patient with our questions, knowledgeable, professional and friendly. They always followed through and we knew we were in good hands.”

Do you have an outdated sorter? Ask us about our AMH Trade-Up Program! We work with libraries to cost-effectively remove and replace old sorters—designing custom totalAMH systems that fit each library's scenario. Our totalAMH systems are known for their efficiency and longevity, with an expected system lifespan of 15+ years.

Tech Logic connects libraries with their communities through dynamic, innovative, and efficient workflow technologies—delivering unparalleled service and outstanding patron experience. Since 1997, we have worked exclusively with libraries to develop solutions that empower library patrons and staff.