BRENTWOOD — Soon checking out books and DVDs from the library could become a solo affair.  To speed up patrons' wait times and to keep better track of inventory, the Brentwood Library is creating an automated system that will allow patrons to scan materials through six self-checkout lanes.

"It really is an important tool," said City Manager Mike Walker. "Library services had a 20 percent increase in checkouts, and this will better allow us the ability to handle that. This will provide the technology to not only track inventory but to know where items are, items lost and items coming back in, which will be much more efficient."

But unlike those widespread barcode scanners often seen in grocery store self-check lanes, the library's new system uses radio frequencies on ID tags, which electronically broadcast the information directly into the computer as long as the item is placed anywhere near the reader.

"They will actually be a bit easier to use than systems at Kroger and places like that because with those you have to have the barcode going over the reader just right," said Maria Sochor, circulation librarian. "With these systems, you only have to have the items on the pad."

In addition, the new system also will keep materials from going missing. If an item hasn't been through the checkout yet but is leaving the library, the tag will alert the library staff.

"If someone inadvertently takes a book out through the front door, we'll know automatically what that book is," Walker said. "We'll be able to reach that person immediately to return back so they can check out properly."

Change to slash thefts

In the case of a not-so-accidental incident, the radio tag also cuts down on thefts. The equipment that opens the audio-visual cases at checkout also will have a reader in it to ensure that the cases match the material selected.

But the move won't totally eliminate human contact from the checkout lanes. Two traditional checkout stations staffed by librarians who can personally key patrons' materials into the checkout computer will be available for those who prefer that route.

To cut down on confusion among library users who are not familiar with the process, City Commissioner Anne Dunn recommended that directions be on the systems, at least for the first few months.

The cost for Brentwood is about $205,000 and includes tags for the current 155,000 library items plus additional materials that come into the system this year.

Just the work of fastening the ID tags to the thousands of materials in the collection will be a major undertaking of staff, Walker said. But he didn't expect the library to close down for any of the installation of the new system.

Library staff is expected to complete the tagging process in June. The system will be ready for patron use by the fall