In the Sorter Room

In the Sorter Room, returned items are automatically checked in, resensitized (for security purposes) and quickly sorted into 7 bins according to material type. With the 3M Sorter (nicknamed The Queen), we are really starting to reap the benefits of our investment in RFID and Self-Service Technology. Operationally, we have found that the formula of self-service + RFID drives efficiencies throughout the cycle of material flow, reduces material-handling and process steps for staff, and reduces FTE requirements related to material-handling. RFID is critical because digital-scanning is quicker, more efficient and more accurate than scanning with analog/barcode-label equipment.
For the customer a quicker turnaround time means that returned materials are more quickly available for borrowing – instead of sitting in a backlog of returned materials waiting for staff to manually check them in, the “right stuff” is quickly turned around and back on shelf for the next customer to borrow.

Self-Service Checkin

Based on our experience at Angus Glen, we knew that to keep pace with growth effectively and at the lowest cost possible, we needed to maximize efficiency in how we handle our material flow starting from the moment when customers return things they’ve borrowed. Our 3M SmartCheck system provides customers with quick, convenient, real-time checkin with a printed receipt listing returned items.

Self-Service Checkouts

Children are enthusiastic users of self-service checkout.

Self Service Checkouts

Markham Village has 4 self-service checkout stations, with staff always at hand to help customers learn how to use them. Our self-service strategy improves customer service and enables staff to keep pace with our increasing flow of materials.

The 1981 Library

Expanding an existing library is a different story to building a brand new one. We started with a 1981 building designed by architect Philip Carter in the postmodern style. It was located on a historic site - the former Markham Fairgrounds, and opened August 8, 1981. In honour of the land’s former usages, the building’s appearance was reminiscent of both the old fair grounds arena and a traditional native longhouse. The Library was widely admired and, in 1982, architect Philip Carter received a Governor General’s award for his design.

Our Historic Site - Markham Fairgrounds

Until 1976, the annual Markham Fair took place on its 30-acre grounds located at the southeast corner of Highway 48 (Main Street) and Highway 7 - now the site of the Markham Village Library. The Markham Fair began in the mid-19th century, and by 1900 had become one of the largest fall agricultural fairs in the country. The Fair site is now occupied by the Markham Village Library and the Markham Arena.

In this turn-of-the-20th-century postcard view, the 1894 Agricultural Hall known as the “Crystal Palace” is in the centre of the picture, facing north onto a two-lane dirt road (now Highway 7), with picket fences and smaller structures beside the gated entrance to the grounds. The hall was two storeys high , with the lower level used for exhibits of vegetables and fruit, and the upper level for ladies’ exhibits. The adjoining rink was used for exhibits during the Fair, and during winter was the centre of hockey and curling in Markham. Both the Crystal Palace and the rink burned to the ground on March 10, 1916.

Our Historic Site

The Markham Village Library sits on an historic site at the gateway to the Village of Markham. The Wellington Hotel stood on our site, at the southeast corner of Highway 7 and Main Street from 1836 to 1909.