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“A barcode on steroids”: RFID and the EPL experience (so far). Adrienne Brown Canty Edmonton Public Library Netspeed 2006 ~ October 19, 2006. RF?. NOT: Really Frightful! Relatively Freaky! Remarkably Fearsome!. The Alfie slide (what’s it all about?). Information storage/retrieval
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“A barcode on steroids”:RFID and the EPL experience (so far) Adrienne Brown CantyEdmonton Public Library Netspeed 2006 ~ October 19, 2006
RF? • NOT: • Really Frightful! • Relatively Freaky! • Remarkably Fearsome!
The Alfie slide(what’s it all about?) • Information storage/retrieval • Microchip and antenna • Data: identifier, security • Read by passing through RF field • Wireless • Contact-free • Orientation-independent
Origins • Surprisingly early • Warehouses • Harsh environments • Retail – EPC/UPC
Basic RFID components • Label • Microchip • Antenna • Transponder
Perspective • Tag: a barcode equivalent • Transponder: just another input device
How it works • Chip data • 13.56 MHz • ISO 15693, 18000 • Passive • Proximity
Everyday RFID • Pet microchips • Gas station “speed passes” • Building entry systems • Automobile entry/ignition • Toll roads/bridges • Mass sports events • Public transit
Chip data (libraries) • Unique identifier • Security bit • Space for rent?
Security • Off at checkout, on at checkin • Goodbye, deer in the headlights? • Goodbye, false alarms? • Goodbye, locking cases?
Known issues • Metal content • Data content
Controversy • Eavesdropping • Identifying information • Personal documents • Viruses/malware • “Spychips”
Why RFID at EPL? • Growth • Increased city population • Increased library visits • Increased library circulation • Public demand for value-added services • Work smarter • Increase staff visibility • Automate what can be automated
Components selected • Tags • Transponders • Security gates • Handheld units • Self-check stations • Automated check-in • Automated sorting
Project goals • self-service options • customer independence • customer privacy • F2F time with customers • value-added services • speed to locate items (inventory) • Immediate check-in
Project goals, cont’d. • check-in errors • lineups & time spent in them • staff-handled transactions • time per transaction • invisible staff, invisible tasks • physical handling of items • staff soft-tissue injuries
Ground rules • No “unstaffed circulation desk” • No pink slips • Jobs may change
EPL process • Organizational support • Investigation team • Funding • Business case • RFP • Vendor selection • Implementation
Business case • Background • Project Description • Strategic alignment • Environment analysis • Alternatives • Business & operational impacts • Project risk assessment • Cost/benefit analysis • Conclusions & recommendations • Implementation strategy • Review & approval process
Request for Proposal • General description of project • Background information • Mandatory 2-day site visit • Evaluation criteria • Specifications
General Server and hardware Security gates Staff PC workstations Conversion stations (tagging) Self-check stations Self check-in stations with sorter Handheld unit RFID tags Errors QA & system acceptance Training Support & documentation Warranty Upgrades / expansion / development Equipment/supplies Timelines Other Specification categories
Proof-of-concept testing • Software for components • 20 book tags • 20 CD/DVD tags • 10 videocassette tags • 20 tag boosters (if required) • 1 conversion station • 1 transponder for staff workstation • 1 set of two security gates • 1 inventory wand
Implementation • “Rolling stages” • Branch-by-branch • Tags • Security gates • Admin stations • Self-check stations • Automated return/sorting
Managing the project • Project Sponsor • Representative Project Owner • IT Project Coordinator • Rotating team membership • Tagging Supervisor
So far… • Tagging began September 25 at STR • 53,000+ items completed in 14 working days • Holds, returns from other service points • Tagging currently underway at LON
“Unexpected hedges” • Dust jackets • Videocassettes • Multi-disc sets • Metallic covers • Metallic hub tags
Getting the word out • Mascot: the Macintosh model • Staff meeting visits • RFID in Libraries DVD (2004) • Regular newsletter column • “Nobody knows you’re a dog” • Reports to Technology Council • E-mail updates
The shoulders of giants • Radio Frequency Identification and the San Francisco Public Libraryhttp://www.sfpl.org/librarylocations/libtechcomm/RFID-and-SFPL-summary-report-oct2005.pdf • Ontario IPC: Guidelines for using RFID tags in Ontario Public Librarieshttp://www.ipc.on.ca/docs/rfid-lib.pdf • ALA • Tech Note on RFID (updated 02/2006)http://www.ala.org/ala/pla/plapubs/technotes/RFIDtechnoteupdate.doc • “RFID Technology for Libraries.” Library Technology Reports, v.39, n.6 (Nov/Dec 2003). • RFID in Libraries DVD – Library Video Network (2004)http://www.lvn.org/p-71-rfid-in-libraries.aspx
Staying up to speed • RFID Journal • c|Net automatic news search • Google Alert • RFID for Libraries listserv (RFID_LIB)
Adrienne Brown Canty Manager, Strathcona Branch Library 8331 – 104 Street NW Edmonton, AB T6E 4E9 Voice: (780) 496-3953 Fax: (780) 496-1451 acanty@epl.ca