Management of RFID in Libraries

Jūratė KuprienėDirector for economics and development

Vilnius University Library

PhD student Institute of Library and Information

Sciences

2011 – 09 – 13

Radio frequency identification (RFID) is a generic term that is used to describe a system that transmits the identity of an object or person wirelessly, using radio waves.

RFID: a brief history

From... Second World War

First used for differentiation of aircraft

Mario W. Cardullo received a patent in 1973:

to converge different but related existing technologies – electronic security system and a chip with memory capacity into a smaller and portable format

Now – a tag: a memory chip and an antenna as a single device

Scanning device detects a radio frequency signal from a transponder – the tag

The information goes to a database

The process

RFID: applications

Commercial:• Automated toll payment – since mid 1980s• Security cards for controlling access to buildings• The tagging of cattle• Logistics solutions• Security of goods in shops

Sports:• Football – did the ball cross the line?• Ticketing of sports events

Transport

RFID – new changes in libraries

The major change in libraries – from close to open access

Main applications:

• Self-service

• Security

• Stock control

The process in library

RFID staff-station

• Allows staff to initialize library media and ID cards at their workstation.

• In most cases is fully integrated into existing library software;

• Reads/writes in any data model

RFID self-check

Enables library patrons to:• check out and return items themselves • manage their accounts independently• stack circulation and user-friendly touch screen

navigation make the entire process fast and secure• do not need to wait

Library staff has more time for other tasks

RFID tags

• Can support variuos data models• Active, passive• Memory capacity: 256 bit, 1048 bit, 2048 bit• AFI – application family identifier• Compliance with standard ISO 18000-3• Frequency 13.56 MHz• Can be re-written (egz.100,000 times)

Privacy issues

Libraries that make available books or other items to the public utilizing RFID technologies shall:

• Implement an organizational privacy policy that gives notice and full description about use, terms of use for data collected via RFID

• Ensure that no personal data is recorded on RFID tags (taking in mind and variety of transactional data)

• Use passive tags • Ensure a protection of data

RFID management in librariesWhen starting with RFID need to think of:

- The rationale for wanting to move in this direction

- What alternatives exists

- The implications for staffing

- What might constitute a return on investment

- How this return might be achieved

- The risks involved, both in adopting RFID and not adopting it

The reasons for implementing RFID

To resolve specific problems with specific building

To resolve specific problem with specific element of service

Modernize the service:• Simpler and quicker transaction processes• Longer opening hours• Improved stock management

Management issues

How will RFID affect staffing and procedures?

How will return on investment be calculated?

How will RFID work with the library management system?

What criteria will be used to choose an RFID system?

Buying a system: evaluating of offers

Tasks

Jūratė Kuprienėjurate.kupriene@mb.vu.lt