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STOP #5 – Automated Depository Distribution System/Lighted Bins
The day before a particular shipment is scheduled to be distributed, the item numbers of publications in that shipment are entered into the Automated Depository Distribution System (ADDS), formerly known as the Lighted Bin System. The boxes on the pallet are emptied and the publications are counted. The publications are then placed on metal carts with a specific cart per zone. The 10 zones can work independently from one another. Library numbers are assigned to zones in numerical order. The regional libraries are integrated into the appropriate zone with green lights above the box; orange lights are used for selective libraries.
Whether a regional or selective, each library has its own separate bin that is marked with the library's depository number and contains a separate compartment for the library's mailing labels. A box is placed in each bin. Each box is marked with the depository number in black marking pen on the inside flap of the box.
The worker has copies of that day's shipping lists. A copy of the first shipping list is placed in the box with the publications placed on top. The shipping list number being worked on and an item number are entered into the computer. Two lights go on above the bin of each library that is recorded as selecting that particular item number. In addition, there is a computer screen display listing all the depositories entitled to receive the document. The worker, therefore, knows into which bin to throw a particular publication, CD-ROM, microfiche, etc. When all of the materials are distributed for that shipping list, the process begins again.
Regionals and nearly full selectives usually receive one shipping list per box. The remaining depositories receive multiple depository shipments and their corresponding shipping lists in one box. Shipment boxes fill at different rates. When a particular box is full, a bar-coded mailing label is placed on the side of the box, the full box is removed from the bin, and an empty box takes its place. On Friday mornings, the "separates" shipping list is placed in all boxes and all bins are cleared of boxes. This means that at least one box per week should arrive at each depository.
"Separates" are items too large to place in a normal shipment box or they arrive at LPS pre-cartoned. They are distributed individually by GPO or its mailing contractor. As materials are shipped from several points, it is usual for separates to arrive well before or well after the "separates" shipping list.
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Computer that controls the Automated Depository Distribution System. Each morning the system is updated with the latest item number information from GPO's mainframe computer system, DDIS (Depository Distribution Information System). Each evening the computer tabulates the day's output. |
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