Multi-talented MFDs: improving digitised document delivery and workflows in an academic library

Until the beginning of 2008, Document Delivery at the University of Western Australia (UWA) Library used a dedicated scanner to supply copies to other libraries. However, the failure of this scanner at the beginning of that year offered staff the opportunity to consider purchasing a new scanner and being forced to update Ariel software in all of the UWA libraries, or look to using another technology. The Library was also facing a number of other important issues which were related to this consideration. The introduction of services like Course Materials Online had meant the Library had expanding digitisation requirements. Document Delivery supply times were also increasing and the quality and size of scanned documents were less than optimal. As such, the Library decided to investigate a new technology: the Multi Function Device (MFD). MFDs offer in a single device the ability to print, copy, fax, and scan to local or networked drives. They can replace a number of machines in a workspace, while providing higher quality reproduction services. MFDs were purchased for all UWA libraries and replaced the old scanners and Ariel software. During the rollout of the MFDs the Library improved workflows and enhanced efficiencies in its Document Delivery and Course Materials Online services. It also developed a new standard for improving the size and quality of scanning. This paper will describe the implementation of MFDs and outline the issues which arose in developing services using this technology.