Transcript Staff Writer

More books will be coming after the millage increase passed on the May 13 special election, Norman Public Library board members were told at their meeting Monday. And the library staff is ready to move to "Plan B" after the narrow defeat of the $49.5 million bond package to build a new Norman library.

Efforts to increase radio frequency identification or RFID tagging on books and other items will increase as well, thanks to the vote, said NPL librarian Nancy Littlejohn. RFID tagging helps track books through the system.

Another improvement will be increased hours throughout the Pioneer Library System, which manages collections and operations in Cleveland, Pottawatomie and McClain counties.

The Norman library likely will have more hours on Friday evenings and Sundays.

"That was one of the first things we asked for," said Theresa Dickson, PLS associate superintendent for operations. Dickson attended for Anne Masters, who was at a seminar. "We'll have different hours for what different branches need. All of the Pioneer branches will be open Sunday."

Self-checking stations will be added, where the customer can place a whole stack of books and their library card and it will automatically check them out.

"We are going to have to be making some plans as far as functionality in this building for the next several years," Littlejohn said.

Norman branch manager Susan Gregory lauded her staff for how they dealt with people who came into the library during the unsuccessful $49.5 million campaign for a new Norman library May 13. Those who didn't agree with the idea of expanding the library were sometimes hostile and angry, she said.

"We had a lot of people who came into the library to tell us what jerks we were (for asking for the bond project for the new library)," Gregory said.

The referendum narrowly failed by 280 votes out of 12,544 votes cast, translating to 51 percent against to 49 percent in favor.

"We especially need all kinds of energy as we move to Plan B," Gregory said. "We see this as a bump in the road. It's not the end of our dream and we're going to work on making (the project) better. And the Norman staff and I are going to do everything in our power to continue excellent service."

She said many of the library employees took vacation time off to be able to knock on doors to promote the library vote.

"One of the good things about this process was that there were folks who haven't been so involved in the library (who got involved)," said NPL board chair Glynis Edgar.

She said one of the problems they dealt with during the campaign was the number of e-mails sent out by those opposing the library with erroneous information.