Proposal

Narrative

The study suites on the 3rd, 4th and 5th floors of the SE Wimberly Library at the Boca Raton campus are currently reserved through a first-come-first-served process at the Service Desk. In 2019, we submitted a Tech Fee proposal to set up an online reservation portal and self-checkout key locker that would allow students to make reservations for study suites online and walk up to a key-kiosk to pick up the keys. Due to the pandemic, the project was put on hold as all floors were closed during the University’s pandemic-related closures. During this time, the Libraries’ leadership reviewed the services that were offered following the return to campus, and one of our goals was to have more contactless solutions for our patrons. As such, we looked at the key-checkout system that was planned and are proposing instead to use an OWL card swipe-based system that is used in other areas of the library, such as the Graduate Study Lounge. By converting our study suites to card swipes, we will make the process to reserve and access the suites even simpler, while at the same time removing one more touch-point in the process. The cost to convert the 36 study suites is $109,000. However, we are requesting $57,000 as we have already received $52,000 from the 2019 request for the key-based system. The additional funds are needed to convert each door to a magnetic lock system and fit with a magstripe reader. The Libraries have already purchased the self-checkout software and will be developing the integration between the card swipe system used in the University and the self-checkout software in-house using our development team. The usage count for students is total non-unique reservations from July 2018 to June 2019. We are using pre-pandemic numbers as the library study rooms were closed for parts of FY19-20 and FY20-21. Our usage for Fall 2022 is already at over 6000 requests so we estimate our usage has returned to normal pre-pandemic levels

Facilities

Installation, termination and commissioning

Hardware Requirements

REX Motion @ $65.30 x 36 = $2,350.80 DSM Contact @ $6.11 x 36 = $219.96 Card Reader @ $277.45 x 36 = $9,988.20 Electronic Door Strike @ $289.79 1K Resistor Pack @ $3.06 x72 = $220.32 16 Door Ultra SE Panel @$5,187.89 x2 = $10,375.78 4 Door Edge Control Panel @$1,566.86 Power Supply @$271.42 x 4 = $1,085.68 TOTAL =$26,097.39 ***whole dollar $26,098.00**

Software Requirements

already purchased

Personnel Costs

N/A

Other Costs

Installation, termination and commissioning @ $1,128.00 Installation @$81,859.95 TOTAL =$82,987.95 ***whole dollar $82,988.00**

Timeline

The hardware can be purchased and installed as soon as funds are available. Estimated time to install will be about 6-8 weeks

Sustainability

The hardware will have to be maintained and replaced as necessary with Tech Fee funding or library funds.

Resource Matching

N/A

Implementing Organization

FAU Libraries Information Technology Services Department