Funding
This project is funded through grants from the Mellon Foundation and the National Science Foundation. The Minolta Corporation donated scanners for
the first phase of the project. A private donor also provided additional
support.
Project Description
The goal of the CAPM project is to develop efficient (i.e., cost-effective),
real-time, enhanced browsing and search capabilities, through a Web browser
interface, to off-site materials by using a combination of robotics,
automated systems and software. Essentially, the CAPM team develop and
modify existing technologies to lower library operating costs while enhancing
the quality of service.
Claire Bellanti Head, Access Services and Director, UC Southern Regional
Library Facility states, "The proposal from Johns Hopkins is especially
exciting because it takes the concept of the storage facility to a new level."
The incorporation of robots and automated systems into manufacturing
industries resulted in cost-effective and higher quality operating systems.
CAPM will introduce similar techniques into off-site facilities to achieve
lower cost, higher quality operating systems.
The first phase of the CAPM Project has resulted in a prototype retrieval
robot and an economic analysis of the potential costs and benefits.
Additionally, the economic analysis framework will be applicable
for assessing
general library services. The first phase of CAPM was funded by the Mellon
Foundation with additional support from Minolta Corporation and a private
individual.
