Cargohitching eng vis et al 2014 , library operations in low density areas, pi conference

Library operations in low-density areas Iris F.A. Vis, Kees Jan Roodbergen, Marjolein Veenstra, Tom Steffens, Paul Buijs University of Groningen, Faculty of Economics and Business, Department of Operations, Groningen, The Netherlands Corresponding author: i.f.a.vis@rug.nl.

Abstract: Low-density areas with a population decline are confronted with the need to close down library branches. As a response to this trend, libraries start to work together in an interconnected network of libraries to maintain a specific service level for their members. Studies show that typically a significant increase in interlibrary transportation operations can be noticed.

In this paper, we analyze the effects of closing down library branches and propose sustainable options for interlibrary transport operations. Transaction data and geographic information system analyses help to study the effects on customer behavior. Social transport is proposed as a way to involve volunteers and members of the library in performing the transport themselves. A SWOT analysis performed to study the potential of social transport by means of using public transport to deliver books to their destination. At the end, we formulate a sketch of a framework for initiating a pilot of this concept.

Keywords: libraries, logistics, transport operations, transaction data analyses, GIS analyses, pilot study

1

Introduction

In the Dutch library system we note that lately many library branches had to close down mostly due to the economic crisis and at the same time cuts in governmental subsidies. Specifically, this trend can be noticed in low-density areas that experience population decline. Library branches in these areas have responded to these developments by working together in an interconnected network of libraries. For example, in the province of Groningen, members can check stock levels of each library online and borrow and return books at a branch of their preference. In general, in such an interconnected system interlibrary reservations and borrowing results in a significant increase in interlibrary transportation operations. At this stage these transport operations are performed in a rudimentary functional way. From a sustainability perspective more efficient and effective transport operations might be designed, which is the focus of this paper.

In practice and literature several initiatives are being studied. One of those initiatives is called "Book-your-Book" as implemented by the library network in the province of Zeeland [1]. Many libraries have been closed in this province lately. The remaining interconnected network of libraries still offers a large assortment to members. Those members can order online the book(s)

of their preference and select a specific pick-up and delivery point, such as a supermarket in their own city. Important logistics questions in this context are the number and type of locations and opening hours and the organization of the transportation between the branches, and pick-up and delivery points. Academic research in this area focuses on transport operations between libraries (e.g., [2]), assortment decisions in library networks (e.g., [3]) and optimization of logistics processes (e.g., [4] and [5]).

Social transport is being introduced as one of the ideas in introducing the Physical Internet Initiative for Dutch Libraries ([6]). This can be seen as a way to dynamically assign transport requests to companies and volunteers. A sustainable way to transport books might be to have volunteers use public transport to deliver books at the right destination. Cargo Hitching is proposed as an idea to integrate passenger and freight transportation to enable efficient and effective delivery of people and small to medium freight flows by either using modes for public transport or freight transport [7]. In the Dinalog R&D project Cargo Hitching the logistics challenges of implementing this concept are studied. The focus is both on city distribution as well as low density areas. Specifically in low density areas, implementation of integrated passenger and freight transport might maintain public and freight transportation at socially, and economically acceptable levels.

The goal of this paper is to study effects of closing library branches and options to offer sustainable and economically sound transportation operations in interconnected library networks.

The outcomes might be used for a potential pilot study to be performed in The Netherlands. In Section 2 we analyze the effects of library closures in the Dutch library system by means of transaction data analyses and GIS analyses in the province of Groningen. In section 3, we present the results of a SWOT analysis and discussion sessions with representatives of governmental and societal organizations. In Section 4 we present a framework outlining potential steps to design pilot studies for using public transportation for shipping library books. Section 5 presents conclusions.

2

Effects of closing library branches

We use the library network of the province Groningen in The Netherlands to study the effects of closing library branches. The province Groningen is in the north of the Netherlands and has one large city, named Groningen as well and contains 23 municipalities (see Figure 1). Per January 1, 2014, the province has 582,640 citizens which is 3.5% of the total population of The Netherlands. The size of the province is 2960 km2, which is 7.1% of the Netherlands and its surrounding waterways. This means an average of 196.8 citizens per km2 in Groningen compared to an average of 405 citizens per km2 in the Netherlands [8]. Overall, in The Netherlands we notice a growth in the number of citizens. Forecasts show that around 2040 the population will stabilize and that the number of households will decrease from 2046 onwards.

However, some municipalities and regions are confronted with a shrinking population already. In the province of Groningen this is the case for the municipalities Appingedam, Delfzijl, Eemsmond and Loppersum. Prognoses show that many municipalities in the countryside will follow [9]. Many facilities disappear in those areas. It can be noticed that usage of public transport has significantly decreased and less public transport services are being offered [10]. At the same time delivery routes to individual customers and retailers typically contain longer distances with fewer stops in low-density areas [11].

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Figure 1: Municipalities in the province of Groningen (source: Province of Groningen)

The province of Groningen has a library system in which members can visit any library and borrow and return books at any library, not necessarily being the same. In 2012 the library received over 2.8 million visitors. In total 6.4 million items (e.g., books, magazines, dvds) were borrowed in that year. Many of the libraries in Groningen operate under a retail-concept formula with the aim to attract more visitors and improve customer satisfaction. Next to regular libraries, library busses visit more remote areas and several libraries were opened in schools [12]. We selected one area in the province of Groningen, De Marne, to perform our analyses on library transaction data. In this region several library branches were closed. As a result, we could analyze the effects of closing libraries on customer behavior.

The dataset and library network can be described as follows:  Period 2009-2011  Transaction data Region De Marne in province of Groningen  5 library branches (Eenrum, Leens, Zoutkamp, Ulrum and Kloosterburen; see Figure 2)  3 stops of library busses (Pieterburen, and 2 in Wehe-den-Hoorn, see Figure 2)  At the end of 2010 the 3 stops of the library busses and the branches in Zoutkamp, Ulrum and Kloosterburen were closed.  The library of Leens increased the opening hours from 6.5 in 2009 to 18 hours by the end of 2011. The assortment of this library was increased as well as that the retail-concept was introduced.  The opening hours of the library in Eenrum decreased from 6 to 4 hours by the end of 2010.  Over 3 years 3173 unique members are counted. In the analyses, we only study members in a specific year that borrowed at least 1 item in that year.

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Library branch

Bus stop

Source: google maps, 2014

Figure 2: Region De Marne with libraries in the province of Groningen in 2009

Per member we can obtain the following information from the dataset:  Date of Birth  Zip code  Start date of membership and if applicable end date of membership  Number of visits to each branch  Frequency of borrowing books  Distance to each library The average age of a member of the library in this region is 30.51 years. Approximately 48% of the members is between 0 and 17 years old. Approximately 30% of the members is 45 years and older. On average a member borrowed 51 items in 2009, 49.1 in 2010 and 42 in 2011. A decrease in the number of libraries might result in borrowing less items per active member. On average, a member has to travel a longer distance up to a library to borrow a book. In the period 2009-2011 for more than 52% of the members the library that they visited most to borrow items has been closed. Based on the data analyses we conclude that the probability that a member ends his/her membership increases with 5.27% if the library that is visited most by this member has been closed. If we take the age of a member into account, we note that for the group of members with an age over 65 this probability increases with 9.65% [13].

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The library of Leens is in the year 2011 in this region the library with the longest openings hours and the largest assortment. Geographic analyses can be used to study the relation between the location where members live and what library they visit most often. Figure 3 shows the amount of transactions being performed in the library in the city of Leens by customers living in surrounding regions in the years 2009, 2010 and 2011. The analyses show that the density of transactions increases over time and that members travel over longer distances to visit a library.

No changes were noted in the library in Eenrum.

Figure 3: Transactions at Leens in surrounding regions (source: [14])

Based on the results of the data analyses in a typical low-density area in the province of Groningen, we conclude that as a result of closing library branches a significant increase in the probability that people discontinue their membership can be noted. Members typically borrow less items and travel over longer distances to visit the library of their choice. The library with the longest opening hours, a larger assortment and a new layout observed an increased number of members from surrounding areas.

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3

SWOT Analyses

As a first step in working towards a pilot to test smart ways of transportation of library books between library branches we organized a workshop. The main idea was to get a good overview of constraints, challenges and objectives in implementing new ideas, such as Cargo Hitching.

The outcomes can be used in deriving the characteristics of a successful pilot.

A workshop on the concept of Cargo Hitching was organized in which 25 people participated, representing governmental organizations (cities and provinces), health and child organizations.

The workshop had the following design: 1) presentation on the concept of Cargo Hitching or social transport; 2) composition of four groups where we assigned people based on their professional experience to one of the four pillars of a swot analysis, namely strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats; 3) group-wise discussion on the assigned pillar; 4) presentation of the outcomes by each group; 5) selection per pillar of the three main points.

Below we present the outcomes for each category and the main points are highlighted in italic [15].

Strengths

Weaknesses

1.

2.

3.

4.

1.

5.

People and resources meet each other Much knowledge / power available in own residents Short lines and granularity Importance of own citizens, individually and collectively People take own responsibility and at the same time the right service can be offered

There is little urgency to change the current organization 2. Many partners (complex and usually expensive ) 3. Competences of employees 4. Available networks will not cover the total area 5. Public transport has fixed time schedules 6. Potential loss of employment 7. There is no demand or market opportunity; business models of companies might disappear 8. Potential loss of speed in deliveries 9. Necessary conditions and availability of facilities 10. Social networks might solve it themselves 11. Expectations of people (customers might be spoiled: "I want it now". ) 12. Local production/suppliers might form a threat

Opportunities

Threats

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

Adding new facilities to the region Increase social cohesion Much cheaper and more efficient Creation of new jobs More sustainable solution Integration of different target groups Exchange of facilities Increase of mobility in area Clear picture on all freight and passenger flows

Companies might not be willing to share knowledge Governmental regulations Distribution of profits Who will do the required investments?

Participation of citizens Collective versus individual needs

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4

Conceptual Framework for a pilot study

Currently, the authors of this paper are exploring the opportunities for introducing a pilot in the province of Groningen to analyze the options to integrate passenger and freight transportation.

More specifically, we will test the options to introduce social transport of library items potentially integrated with other freight flows in low-density areas by means of public transport (e.g., trains and busses). In this section, we provide a sketch of the steps to be performed before a pilot can be initiated. The outcomes of the SWOT analysis have been used to formulate these questions. We distinguish in this conceptual framework between research questions and choices to be made. Literature studies, analyses of freight and passenger flows, interviews and workshop meetings can be used in each of the steps mentioned. During the pilot phase both the concept of social transport via public transport as well as the design of this framework will be tested.

Steps to be performed are: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

Perform a stakeholder analysis to get a clear picture on the stakeholders, their roles and relationships.

What opportunities and what resistance do stakeholders offer in introducing this concept?

What modes of transportation will be most successful (bus, train, taxi, .....)

What scenario(s) will be most successful (e.g., one village, multiple villages, a region; B2B and/or B2C; type of products)?

What village(s) will be most successful (e.g., based on number of citizens, presence of local retailers/web shops, accessibility by public transport, ....)

What network configuration is needed (e.g., locations for bundling and decoupling of products, IT systems)?

What flows of freight and passengers can be distinguished in the network derived in step 6.

What organizational decisions need to be made?

What changes in IT systems are needed?

How to design contracts, and divide investments and profits?

Based on discussions during the SWOT analysis (see Section 3) and with stakeholders, we conclude that the performance of the concept can be measured by the following aspects:    

costs service to the customer (e.g., lead time, reliability) option to keep the level of facilities in a certain area at the same level (e.g., public transportation that is being offered, number of stores) option to attract new flows of goods that were not profitable before introduction of the concept

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5

Conclusion

The number of library branches in low-density areas in The Netherlands has significantly reduced. Studies on a library system in a low-density area with a decline in population in the province of Groningen show that many members are affected by library closures. The probability of discontinuing their membership increased significantly, specifically for the people over 65 years old. Members in the network tend to borrow less books and drive longer distances.

Libraries work together in interconnected library network to keep up their service standards and offer their members a comparable assortment as before the closures. It is known that in these networks inter-library flows increase resulting in more transportation operations. In this paper we study the potential of the concept of social transport performed by volunteers using public transportation to transport library books potentially integrated with other freight flows. In other words, integrating freight and passengers flows as being introduced by the concept of Cargo Hitching. A SWOT analysis in Section 3 shows the potential of this concept. The outcomes have been used to provide a sketch of steps to be performed before a pilot of this concept can be initiated.

References [1] [2]

http://www.bibliotheekvlissingen.nl/pagina/36699.boek-je-boek.html Apte, U.M., F.M. Mason (2006): Analysis and improvement of delivery operations at the San Francisco Public Library, Journal of Operations Management 24, 325-346.

[3] Van der Heide, G., K.J. Roodbergen (2013): Transshipment and rebalancing policies for library books, European Journal of Operational Research, 228(2), 447-456.

[4] Reisman, A., X. Xu (1994): Operations Research in libraries: a review of 25 years of activity, Operations Research 42(1), 34-40.

[5] Wruck, S., I.F.A. Vis, J. Boter (2013): Batching Management in Warehouses with High Product Returns: Development and Discussion of Approaches and Models, Journal of the Operational Research Society, 64(10), 1505-1516.

[6] Roodbergen, K.J., B. Montreuil, I.F.A. Vis (2014): The Physical Internet concept for libraries: a first set of ideas, paper 1st International Physical Internet Conference [7] http://www.dinalog.nl/nl/projects/r_d_projects/cargo_hitching_/ [8] http://www.provinciegroningen.nl/home/ [9] http://www.pbl.nl/dossiers/krimp/veelgestelde_vragen [10] Santos, G., H. Behrendt, A. Teytelboym (2010): Part II: Policy instruments for sustainable road transport Review Article, Research in Transportation Economics, 28(1), 46-91 [11] Harms, L., M.J. Olde Kalter, P. Jorritsma (2010): Krimp en mobiliteit, Ministerie van Verkeer en Waterstaat.

[12] www.biblionetgroningen.nl/ [13] Baardman, L., A.J. Uit het Broek, J. Chen, T.R. Dijk, N.W. Koning, J. van der Kroef (2012): Het effect van bibliotheeksluitingen op ledenuitschrijvingen, report honours research project University of Groningen supervised by I.F.A. Vis and T. Steffens [14] Dijk, T. (2012): Collection and drop-off points, report research project GeoMarketing VU University Amsterdam supervised by J. Boter, J. Dekkers.

[15] Vis, I.F.A., M. Veenstra (2013): Slim transport in een krimpregio SWOT Analyse, report for Kennisnetwerk Krimp Noord-Nederland.

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Acknowledgements This study was supported by a grant of the Dutch Institute for Advanced Logistics (Dinalog).

We thank L. Baardman, A.J. Uit het Broek, J. Chen, T.R. Dijk, N.W. Koning and J. van der Kroef for performing some of the data analyses reported in this paper.

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Appendix Participants workshop SWOT analysis Organisation NBN Adviescommissie Wonen Concreet en Vos Fusiegemeente De Friese Meren Gemeente Dongeradeel Gemeente Franekeradeel Gemeente het Bildt Gemeente Menameradiel Gemeente Oldambt Grontmij Kabelnoord Kennisplatfrom Kindvoorzieningen NoordGroningen Leeuwarden vrij-baan Oosterlengte Zorgketen voor Oost-Groningen Provincie Drenthe Provincie Frysl창n, Netwerk Noordoost Provincie Groningen Provincie Groningen Senior beleidsmedewerker, secretaris ovvf STAMM CMO Stichting Herrie.nu Uitgeverij media-totaal noord ZORG INNOVATIE FORUM ZORG INNOVATIE FORUM ZuidOostZorg

Function unknown unknown Program- and projectmanagament Coordinator Villages Alderman Mayor Alderman Policy Officer Policy Officer Senior Advisor Innovator Projectleider Advisor Communication Manager Care at home unknown unknown Policy Officer Public Transport Member Government Province Senior Policy Officer Senior advisor unknown Editor Advisor Business Support Project- & Subsidy advisor Policy Officer

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