RFID solutions for libraries

Library automation with RFID Technology is used all over the world and becomes popular in Russia too. Bar code labels, recently considered as advanced, are now off-market in view of obvious advantages of RFID Technology.

The following changes occur in libraries after RFID implementation:

Process	Before modernization	After modernization
New accessions	Library staff checks materials against supporting documents by hand, tags them, enters information into automation system and catalogue, and passes them to archives.	Barcodes are replaced with RFID labels, registered later in the system by the portable scanner. Labels are developed automatically – librarians are not required to have special skills.
Search for ordered books in archives	Librarian looks for the shelf with a proper book according to accepted in the library address system and searches for the book visually.	Search is carried out much faster. No book handling: when the scanner finds a right book, a built-in beeper sounds. It is also possible to sort several books at a time. If any book from the list is detected, the scan will sound. Thus, search process will significantly speed up.
Book return to the storage place	Librarian looks for the place for book according to accepted in the library address system and puts it back on the shelf.	Book return process is carried out much faster. In order to return book on the shelf, it is enough to scan their labels and the scanner will insert books in the correct position. This allows to determine best way for book placing and also to save time.
Archives inventory	Librarians compare archives with catalogue by hand according to special book identification numbers.	Inventory process is carried out much faster. Librarian should only pass the reader across shelves. The data about books is then automatically downloaded to the central database, and it is not necessary to handle books.
Search of books inserted in the wrong shelves	Librarian looks all shelves over where a book can be inserted by mistake.	The process is carried out similarly, but much faster. There is no need to sort books by hand. It is enough to pass the reader across shelves where a book can be inserted by mistake. The beeper will sound when the reader finds a lost book.
Circulation process	Librarian lends a book to a reader and marks in its library card as issued.	Circulation process is carried out much faster. As readers can identify large amounts of books at a time, all books can be marked in reader’s library card at once, which speeds up circulation process. Using RFID reader’s ID cards gives additional anti-theft detection – there is information about books and readers on the screen (photo in case someone else used this ID card). OR: when using automatic check-in of issued books (for public access) a reader puts on the system desk top (there is the scanner antenna under it) selected books and his library card. Book list is displayed on the system screen, a reader confirms his intention to lend books and the system registers them as issued. Moreover there is a special code in the tag that allows taking books beyond the library.
Book return	Librarian visually checks the returned book, takes it and passes to the archives, and also marks in its library card.	Book return process is carried out faster. Librarian uses the reader to scan tags of returned books; the labels in the articles are read automatically. To return a book a reader does not need to have a library card with him, as each book has its unique ID number. No errors can occur when returning. OR: when installing automatic check-out system, a reader puts a book in the book-drop, and when a book is inside and can’t be taken out, its tag is read automatically and the data about book return is then automatically downloaded to the database. The return status is displayed on the screen.
Library Security System	Librarian controls visually the process of taking books past the exit.	Library staff is alerted immediately when un-borrowed items passes through the theft detection gates.

To make the picture complete let see what changes for readers of our library will occur.

The use of RFID reduces the amount of time required to search, lend and return a book. No errors can occur on these phases. Detection from forgery and usage of another’s library card (it is important for libraries with rare and valuable books).

Changes for librarians.

Quick inventory process, control over archives, constant possibility to get new information.

So what does this expensive and difficult to setup RFID solution for libraries represent?

Let us consider the ready solution of one of the most advanced RDFI Technologies producer - Nedap Library Solutions in the Netherlands.

System operation principle:

System operating frequency – HF-13,56 MHz.

Each book is equipped with special radiofrequency tag and this is the most time-consuming phase of the whole system implementation process. Each tag has its unique code to distinguish books from each other in the library system. Moreover the tag has rewritable memory that used for making notes about taking books out, “book registration” in the certain sector, shelf, place in the archives and other notes.

Readers

Readers (scanners) are equipments for reading and making notes in tags. Desk top readers are used for automation of check-in and check-out processes. They can identify large amounts of books at a time.

The reader is only required to put a book on the desk and insert his library card in the intake device. Rest actions will be automatic. Information about lending a book will be noted both in library system and reader’s library card.

Stationery readers in form of the anti-theft gate at the library exit allow:

1. To control taking books out of the library.

2.To count visitors due to the built-in counter.

3. With the help of integrated metal detector the system allows to reveal would-be thieves that use metalized bags for theft.

Portable readers are used for fast search of proper books, inventory process and other work in the archives.

The process of returning book in such libraries is also very interesting.

First of all, special terminals – the Book Drops – that can be installed by analogy with ATM offer us unprecedented flexibility and convenience of returning books at anytime of the day.

It is only necessary to activate terminal by the library card and put books in the intake device.

With the help of transporter books fall into special boxes.

During the transportation of the box all books will be identified due to RFID Technology and librarians receive complete information about books.

In order to use human labour more effectively there are so-called Tunnel readers.

This mobile device allows identifying large amounts of books. While transporting the box through the tunnel, operator instantly receives information about all books, their status and other data.

It is obvious that earlier a lot of time was spent on new accessions and returned book sorting; now this procedure takes only minutes and completely fail-safe as human factor minimized.

The intelligent bookcase verifies that books are inserted in the correct position. The integral display shows information about books and eliminates a possibility to insert books in the wrong place.

Benefits of RFID solution:

• reduction of time for check-in / check-out;
• control over book availability;
• fast circulation process;
• prompt reception of information about books location;
• high-speed and non-contact inventory (especially important for rare and valuable books);
• fine planning of books purchase for stocking of library funds;
• anti-theft and anti-loss detection;
• massive opportunities of integration with the current Automated Library Information Systems.

Realization of automation projects using radio frequency technology in libraries handles problems with fund records, inventory process and anti-theft detection.

Special attention should be paid to the provider and systems integrator. Each library is unique in its own way, so professionalism is important both at the stage of project development and at the stage of implementation.

Nedap Library RFID Solutions are successfully used up to date in more than 140 largest European libraries:

• 17 public libraries in Belgium, including libraries in Brussels, Bree and Avelgem;
• 45 media libraries in France, including libraries in Paris, Lyons, Belfort and Marseille;
• 45 libraries in the Netherlands, including libraries in Amsterdam, Leiden, Rotterdam;
• 4 libraries in Switzerland, including libraries in Bern (+ 13 filial branches) and Zurich;
• 7 libraries in Spain, including campus libraries in Madrid and Barcelona;
• 24 libraries in Germany, including public libraries in Stuttgart, Bonn and Rhein.