RFID Based Automation Solution for Library Management

1. RFID Based AutomationSolution for Library Management www.rapidradio.co.in

2. About RapidRadio Solutions Pvt. Ltd. • First spin-off company at NirmaLabs – A technology business incubator supported by Department of Science & Technology • One of the few companies in India operating in RFID hardware space. • Wide SI network of more than 60 SI’s across India for sales & support services • RapidRadio is funded by GVFL – A Pioneer VC company in India • Company is supported by Industry Leaders & Professional Mentors • We have entire range of RFID hardware solutions for libraries of different size and scale. • We are certified by Inflibnet (UGC) for compatibility with NCIPV2.0. • Our clientele is enriched with prestigious and renowned Institutes, which shows the quality of work we do. • We always strive to provide 100% customer satisfaction to all our clients through after sales service.

3. Agenda • Today’s Modern Library • RFID Technology Applications • RFID vs Barcodes • RFID in Libraries • Benefits to Libraries • Benefits to Staff • Benefits to Patrons • RFID System Components • Vendor Selection • NISO Recommendations • Conclusion • Library Client List • Questions

4. Today’s Modern Library • Identifies & Captures information from available global resources • Proper maintenance of available resources in electronic format with help of automation software's, adequate IT infrastructure etc • Information dissemination through web based technologies, allowing user to easily locate information & access available resources 24 X 7 • Use of emerging technologies & open source tools such as CMS (Joomla), Desktop search, Federated search, RSS, P2P, Blogs, Social Networking (orkut), Wikis etc • Today's libraries are being made over as "idea stores", complete with cafés and multi-media offerings.

5. Challenges for Librarians • Patron Expectation & Service in the information age • Lack of information, training & technology know how • Lack of Staff • Loss of Library material • Investment in systems & automation technology • Support & Service from vendors

6. RFID Technology & Applications • RFID is a state of art Non line of sight AIDC technology that is gaining popularity with Library fraternity in India • RFID is currently being used for various application areas such as • Asset management • Library & Campus management • Public Transportation Systems • Inventory management • Equipment maintenance • Livestock Tracking • Gas Cylinder Tracking • Attendance & Access control • Document Tracking • Vehicle Tracking • Healthcare Management • Security & Monitoring • Supply chain management • Warehouse management…..

7. Technology Comparison: RFID, Barcode & EM

8. RFID in Libraries • Fastest, easiest, most efficient way to track, locate & manage library materials. • Efficient Book circulation management. • Automatic Check-in and Check-out. • Library inventory tracking in minutes instead of hours. • Multiple books can be read simultaneously. • Unique ID of the RFID tag prevents counterfeiting. • Automated material handling using conveyor & sorting systems. • Facilitate inter library & intra-library borrowing

9. Contd.. • Benefits to Libraries • Searching & Stock management • Operations such as managing material on the shelves, identifying missing & mishelved items and taking stocks regularly will be feasible • Improved Patron Services • Spending minimal time on circulation operations allows library staff to assist patrons. Routine patron services are not disturbed even when libraries are facing staff shortages & budget cuts • Flexibility And Modularity • Ability to add newer products and features as finances and customer needs dictate • Security • Library item identification & security is combined into a single tag, there by eliminating the need to attach an additional security strip

10. Contd.. Benefits to Staff Less time needed for circulation operations Implementing RFID will considerably reduce the amount of time required to issue, receive, transport, sort & shelve library materials Efficient Inventory management • Inventory management can be done using a handheld reader without closing the library and is at least 20 times faster compared to existing barcode based system Reducing Repetitive Stress Injuries (RSI) • RFID based system reduces repetitive scanning of individual items at the circulation desk during check in, check out and hence avoids RSI such as carpal tunnel syndrome • Taking inventory in a rfid based system doesn’t require physical deshelving & shelving of library materials

11. Contd.. Benefits to Patrons • Patrons will spend less time waiting in check-out lines by using Self Check in - Check out systems • Patrons find what they are looking for quickly & easily • Reminders for due dates allows patrons to submit borrowed materials in time • Use of book drops & return chutes for returning library material, allows for flexible timings • RFID enabled patron cards allows for easy patron identification & reduces errors • Self service enhances patron privacy • Improved patron services even when libraries are facing staff shortage

12. RFID System Components • A RFID system for Library environment consists of: • Tags • Readers • Middleware • Host Computer • Application Software (ILS)

13. Communication Flow, Protocols & Standards ISO 15693 M I D D L E W A R E LMS DA T A B A S E ISO 18000-3 S I P 2 -- N C I P S E R V E R KOHA S I P 2 -- N C I P C L I E N T ISO 15693 LIBSOFT proprietary ISO 14443A VTLS SIP2 Smart card SOUL NCIP ISO 15693 Tag LIBERTY REQ ALICE ISO 15693 proprietary REPLY LIBSYS Tag Security EAS AFI Virtual DB

14. RFID Hardware Station Station Reader (RRHFLB03): RRHFLB01 is a plug n play multi protocol integrated antenna-reader system capable of detecting tags based on NXP I-code1 & ISO/IEC- 15693; ISO 1443A and specially designed for library circulation desk application. With a read range up to 20cms it can be used for entry of new books or borrowers and issue/return of books at circulation desk. It will have options of connecting to thermal printer, send emails & sms of transaction history. Self Check Out / In Kiosk Stations (RRHFLB02) Proposed book borrowing station is a standalone interactive multi protocol (NXP I-code1 & ISO/IEC- 15693; ISO 14443A) Self Check-out / In station primarily for self issue return of library items at a time. With its inbuilt capacitive touch screen and thermal slip printer patrons can view & print transaction related information such as number of books issued, outstanding fine (if any) with electronic fine receiving facility Auto email & sms of transaction details can be sent to the patron. Customized information can also be printed on the transaction slip.

15. Contd.. HF Handheld Reader (RRHFHH3): RRHFHH2 is an ergonomically designed handheld reader primarily designed for performing activities such as shelf order checking, shelf-reading, searching, inventory scanning, weeding etc in library kind of environment. RRHFHH2 is capable to read/write tags of both NXP I-Code1 and ISO/IEC 15693 standards. Gate Detection System (RRHFGA2): Proposed gate detection system would be compliant to shall be fully compliant with ISO 15693/ISO 18000-3 Mode-1 standards & supplied tags and is a walk through gate detection system capable of detecting unauthorized tagged items passing through it. Three options of item identification are available viz. EAS bit detection, AFI bit identification and ILMS database cross check. Also it consists of IR sensors with inbuilt fuzzy logic to distinctly identify entry & exit visitor count. It has inbuilt audio visual alert facility for theft detection and a read range of up to 36 inches between two pedestals.

16. RFID Middleware Capable of programming tag at a time for write, lock and EAS operations. Tagging / Re-tagging after proper online validation of (title/member records from LMS database) Tag monitoring by accessing item record from ILMS database Patron Smart Card personalization monitoring by accessing patron ID from ILMS database Sorting by accessing Title record from ILMS Check out /Check-in/Renewal Provision for display of member photograph along with member details while transactions

17. Middleware contd… Provision to display reservations done by a member along with sequence and date Provision for enquiry of checkouts against a member and its due date. This facility is available on all transaction screens for reducing response time while presenting the details before the member Provision for details of fine against a member Provision of email, sms & slip printing containing the details of a transaction Reserved titles get highlighted while check-in Intelligent system for judging nature of transaction i.e. check in or check out operation

18. Vendor Selection… Hardware & Software should meet global recommended standards for use of RFID in Libraries RFID hardware products for library should be compatible with global protocols such as SIP2 ,NCIP, ISO 18000-3, ISO 15693, ISO 14443A & ISO 28560 (Part 1, 2 & 3) Supplied equipment should allow forward compatibility with anticipated new standards Can we purchase tags from other manufacturers & still be sure of interoperability with existing hardware in future Will the existing protocols & software work with the new hardware & tags? If not, what is required to make them compatible? Vendors should make hardware & software upgrades in future to conform to standards Judge Vendors Technology know how for products to be supplied Ask for Customer reference & discuss your concerns with them Special emphasis on Staff training & Local Support

19. NISO Recommendations • In Libraries, 13.56MHz High Frequency tags should be used • RFID tags for library use should be passive • The typical read range of tags for library applications should not be increased substantially beyond the present range of 8-20 inches for smaller tags in future • Only tags including standardized AFI feature should be used in libraries • The system will cause no interference with other applications • The system will utilize ISO/IEC 18000-3 Mode 1 tags programmed so that they should work for identification of items in other libraries • The system will use tags that will not interfere with the operation of security systems in other libraries • Security implementations for RFID in libraries should not lock a compliant system into any one security possibility (EAS, AFI, Virtual deactivation), but rather leave security as a place for differentiation between vendors • RFID tags should be reprogrammable for migration purposes • Data on RFID tags should be encoded according to the recommended data model, using encoding described in ISO/IEC 15962 & using relative object IDs specified in anticipated standard ISO/NP 28560 for RFID in Libraries

20. Why RapidRadio…. • Over 6 years of experience in providing RFID hardware solutions to more than 35 libraries and seamless integration with multiple library management systems including KOHA, SOUL 2.0, Liberty 3.0, VTLS Virtua, Alice, SLIM21, Autolib etc. using global standards like NCIP V2.0 & SIP 2.0 • Systematic approach to after sales support & affordable AMC with positive attitude, keeping end customer objectives always at top most priority • Single point of contact to execute tasks right from data entry of books to implementing full fledged Library automation project including RFID and surrounding technologies like CCTV, Attendance management etc in consortium with leading technology providers • We have defined a unique partnership program where we work with partners to increase their business and through them, whom we consider our customers, we achieve our business objective. 

21. Conclusion - What matters…. • Good quality products meeting global ISO standards • Vendor who can • Not only give you good hardware but integrate it with current LMS • Provide satisfactory after sales support during warranty & later through AMC • A Cost effective system which can run on it’s own without consuming library staff’s time and thus making them available for other intellectual jobs • Patrons who feel happy to visit library and perform operations on their own without waiting in queues

22. Few of our esteemed Clients: With VTLS • IIM Shillong, Shillong • IIM Ranchi, Ranchi • Chandragupt Institute of Management Patna With KOHA • British Council Library, Delhi & Chennai • Chennai Mathematical Institute, Chennai • University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore • North Easter Hill University (NEHU), Shillong • Anna Centenary Library, Chennai With Other Software • Chirstian Medical Colleage, Vellore (AutoLib) • Regional Cancer Centre (RCC), Trivandrum • Central University of Sikkim, Gangtok • Gujarat State Library, Gandhinagar • IIT Roorkee, Roorkee Total No. of Clients 30+

23. Thank you for taking the time to view this presentation Questions??? Feel free to get in touch with us incase you wish to visit any of our site for having a LIVE DEMO www.rapidradio.co.in