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RFID ( Remote Frequency IDentification) in Libraries

RFID ( Remote Frequency IDentification) in Libraries. SEMLS Workshop Middleborough Public Library. From notes by M. Lou Nesson For OCLN Tech Roundtable April 6, 2006. Terminology. TAGS – microchip and ISO (still proprietary, no standard yet)

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RFID ( Remote Frequency IDentification) in Libraries

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  1. RFID (Remote Frequency IDentification) in Libraries SEMLS WorkshopMiddleborough Public Library From notes by M. Lou Nesson For OCLN Tech Roundtable April 6, 2006

  2. Terminology • TAGS – microchip and ISO (still proprietary, no standard yet) • Checkpoint uses microchip, ISO is used by most other vendors • Life of tag is guaranteed for the life of the book

  3. Examples of RFID Tags

  4. Examples of tags Security access & control card Windshield tag Books in libraries Inventory management

  5. Microchip Pros & Cons • Greater read range and faster transaction speeds • More expensive than ISO

  6. ISO pros and cons • Less expensive • Reduced read range, slower transaction speed because of on/off security bit • One piece tag

  7. RFID COMPONENTS • Long range sensor – wood or plastic form, most RFID vendors, 42” wide eye (ISO = 38”) (Usually 3 needed for most 7 – 8 ft. doorway) • Self checkout station – tabletop, kiosk of built in version usually also has a barcode reader, touchpad screen, also need an RFID patron card. • NOTE: You will still need to barcode books because not all libraries are RFID and will need for them to check-out and track books.

  8. COMPONENTS cont. • Reader – installed under circulation desk counter (about the size of a laptop) plugs into circulation computer already in place on inside of book drop. Note: reads through granite, wood, glass. Con – It picks up the book and applies it to an open patron account on computer – be careful where it is placed (see Worcester Public library) • Inventory wand – performs shelf inventory – reads 15 at a time, search for missing books, search by shelf order

  9. Challenges for Libraries • Growing circulation • Desire to expand other services • Limited budgets • More types of materials

  10. RFID at Worcester Public LibraryAnn A. Robinson, Associate Head Librarianarobinson@cwmars.org508-799-1691

  11. Implementation • Define goals and expectations • Develop ROI model (return on investment) • Involve all departments and staff in process – the hardest part is the tagging of the materials, most time consuming • Use staff and volunteers or 3rd party vendor

  12. Estimate 5 years to interoperability in RFID Vendors • Recommend only putting the barcode on the tag – it will take longer to read and slow down checkout otherwise. • ROI (return on investment)– there is a calculator • Checkpoint has 160 libraries as customers. • See RFID Journal – cost estimate $120,000 for 100,000 volumes – for hardware and tags.

  13. Benefits • Faster – fewer steps, less handling • Real-time – missing, stolen reports • Easier – patron self-checkout – greater use of materials • Less chance for errors • Shorter lines & waiting at checkout • Improved self service, convenience & privacy • More personal assistance form staff • Increased availability of materials

  14. RFID - Checkpoint • Checkpoint will be at PLA in Boston • They also have a chip for videos and DVD's • Developed a locked case for CD’s / DVD's that patron would go through checkout and then insert case in a special piece of equipment to release the lock and take out.

  15. Privacy Concerns • Security issue should be in policy • Not using RFID patron cards • Theft – they do have some ships ripped out of items

  16. Project Management • Team approach – they still meet after implementation • Recommend including IT person in planning • Used staff and library volunteers to put label & chip together • Published newsletter, kept statistics on progress, set up “chipping” stations in areas to be done first. • Team trained staff, checked on compatibility with SIRSI • Only work 1 hour at a time – 2 together make time bearable.

  17. Changes in Workflow • Circ desk now able to do multiple check-in/outs faster • Patrons – started using 9/03 like the privacy and ease • Staff love it, has freed up circ staff for other work, accuracy is very good, less repetitive motion injury.

  18. Results • Good with minor problems • Dealing with Innovative and consortium – there is a delay in processing check-out, Innovative is slower to sense the checkout than RFID is, so sensors go off when patrons leave the library. • Software resides on server @ CWMARS and the process is slowed trying to get through circ software.

  19. SPYCHIPS http://www.spychips.com/ • Catherine Albrecht, EdM., founder of CASPIAN • Consumer Against Supermarket Privacy Invasion and Numbering. http://www.nocards.org/ • Presented lots of controversial reasons why not to do it.

  20. Further reading • http://www.ala.org/ala/pla/plapubs/technotes/rfidtechnology.html • See also Berkeley Public Library – Best Practices for RFID technology (sheet handed out at meeting). • www.rfid-weblog.com • http://rfidexchange.com/

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