Christina Estes/KJZZ

Burton Barr Library in Phoenix.

A new machine could change the way books are handled at Burton Barr Central Library in Phoenix.

For years, customers have been dropping books, CD’s and DVD’s into boxes located in and outside the library. Employees then collect, scan and return them to shelves. 

Lee Franklin, community relations manager for Phoenix Public Library, said what can take an average of four days for a human to handle, can take just four hours with automation. But, she said adding a $650,000 machine doesn’t mean losing employees. 

“It’s not going to completely replace that expertise or that need for a human,” she said. ”What we might see once it’s up and running is that we would be able to redistribute where we have people assigned.” 

That’s what happened at the Mesquite Library Branch. In late 2013, an automated system was installed and the department was able to reallocate 1.5 full-time equivalent positions to other locations that needed help.

Library officials said more than 600,000 items are returned to Burton Barr every year and another 200,000 new items are processed and sent to 16 branch locations. If the city council approves, library officials hope to issue a request for proposals this summer and have the automated materials handling system installed at Burton Barr next year.