Book Return Project

About the Project

As part of our ongoing efforts to continue improving library services for our community, this construction project encompassed several important enhancements and improvements to our outdoor book return. 

The central elements of this project include... 

  • Widened thoroughfare to the book return loop
  • Improved turning radius for vehicles going around the loop
  • An ADA-compliant entry ramp to the adjoining sidewalk
  • Clearer visual cues indicating the entrance and exit of the loop
  • Improved signage to assist in locating the book return
  • Installation of our new Automatic Material Handler (AMH) system

What's an AMH?

The AMH, or Automatic Material Handler is a system that will allow library patrons to scan their card, return their items, have them checked back in, and complete the initial sort for shelving, thus getting items off of patron accounts and back on the shelves quicker!

Updates & News

Stay in the know about the construction, installation, and implementation of our new outdoor book return and Automatic Material Handler. 

The Outdoor Book Return is now open!

Posted May 27th, 2025

Thank you to everyone who came out to join us for the ribbon cutting! We are so happy to announce that the project is now complete, and the outdoor book return is now open for use! 

Ribbon Cutting on May 27th!

Posted May 20th, 2025

Our staff have been hard at work training and preparing the Bookie Monster for use! While we’ve been training, you’ve been patient with us. Thank you for your understanding and for trusting us during this time of change. 

We’re happy to announce that as of May 27th the wait is over! We will be hosting a ribbon cutting at 12 p.m. on May 27th and, afterward, the new book return will be open for use! 

On to Software Configuration!

Posted April 8th, 2025

We’re happy to announce that the final piece of the Bookie Monster is almost here! We are excited to move on from hardware configuration to software configuration!

The Bookie Monster Configuration

Posted April 1st, 2025

The Bookie Monster's hardware is still being configured, which is good because he’s hungry for books! We’ll keep you posted on the status of our beloved BookieMonster. By the way, should we put big googly eyes on Bookie? 

The Bookie Monster's Hardware Almost Done

Posted March 25th, 2025

Our Bookie Monster is here and almost complete! With the hardware nearly done, we’re so excited to get the software up and running!

The Bookie Monster has Arrived!

Posted March 18th, 2025

Guess who's here? Our AMH (nicknamed the Bookie Monster) arrived on March 17th. More details will be coming soon, so be sure to keep an eye out here and on our social media pages!

Upcoming AMH Installation & Naming Contest Results

Posted March 11th, 2025

If you’ve been to the library in the last few weeks, it might look like our book return is finished, but we’re missing the final piece! Our Automatic Material Handler (AMH) will be here soon, and then staff training can begin. Once our staff is trained and ready, our new and improved book return will finally be open! 

In the meantime, we asked for your help with naming our AMH to something more fun and a lot easier to say. So, without further ado, the winning name is...

... The Bookie Monster!

Thank you to everyone who voted! For those curious, the runners-up were Dolly Sortin in second place and Scandalf in third. Bookie Monster certainly rolls off the tongue a bit better than Automatic Material Handler. 

We're excited about the sprinkle of fun that this new name adds to our daily workings here at BCPL.