1. "Beyond the barcode. How
RFID is changing library
management"
Library RFID
Mick Fortune
Library RFID Limited
2. Who is Mick Fortune?
• 30+ years in library automation
• Library adviser on RFID
– Expert Member British Standards Institute, ISO
• Co-founder of IFLA Special Interest Group
• Chair of UK Library RFID standards committee:
Library RFID
– Members include:
3M, Bibliotheca, Axiell, SirsiDynix, Capita…
• Blogs at www.mickfortune.com/Wordpress
3. Agenda
• Quick overview of the technology
• How libraries use it
• Some things to consider
• Questions?
Library RFID
4. What exactly is RFID?
Radio Frequency IDentification
• Uses radio to access data stored on ‘chips’
over distance.
• Read/Write
• Chips are attached to “form factors” (which
Library RFID
may be a label, a card - or even a person)
• Libraries usually call them “tags”
5. Uses many different
frequencies…
Band LF HF UHF Microwave
Frequency 30–300kHz 3–30MHz 300 MHz–3GHz 2–30 GHz
Typical RFID 125–134
13.56 MHz 433 MHz or 865 – 956MHz 2.45 GHz 2.45 GHz
Frequencies kHz
Approximate less than 0.5 433 MHz = up to 100 metres 865-
Up to 1.5 metres Up to 10m
read range metre 956 MHz = 0.5 to 5 metres
less than 1
Typical data kilobit per 433–956 = 30 kbit/s 2.45 =100
Approximately 25 kbit/s Up to 100 kbit/s
transfer rate second kbit/s
Library RFID
(kbit/s)
Short-range,
low data
Higher ranges, reasonable Long range, high data
transfer Long ranges, high data transfer rate,
data rate (similar to GSM transfer rate, cannot
Characteristics rate, concurrent read of <100 items,
phone), penetrates water penetrate water or
penetrates cannot penetrate water or metals
but not metal. metal
water but
not metal.
6. …to manage very different
things
• Road Tolls
• Travelcards
• Drug security
• Passports
Library RFID
• Even cats
11. Comparing barcodes with RFID
• Barcode
– Used only for identification (within a single library)
– Processes items one at a time
– Mostly for circulation
• RFID
Library RFID
– Used in national inter-lending schemes
– Combines security and circulation (and more)
– Multiple item processing
– Can carry many pieces of information
– Used for many library operations
12. Building a library RFID application
is different
• Most non-library RFID solutions are “stand
alone”
– Designed to solve a particular problem or
deliver a specific service
• However most library solutions connect to
Library RFID
another application.
– Example: an LMS/ILS
13. A typical RFID application:
Self Service
Processes
rules Sends data to Reads data
LMS from items
Library
Managem
Library RFID
ent Sends data to Clears
System device
RFID security
Library
(LMS)
Management RFID Device(s) Item(s)
System (LMS)
14. But things are changing…
rapidly
• New ways to connect LMS/RFID
– SIP 3.0/NCIP
• Was 3M, now NISO
– BLCF
• UK initiative – interest in USA
• New data standards (published 2011)
Library RFID
– More ‘open’ market
– Greater competition
– Faster development – new applications
18. Think about…
• Integrate or stand alone?
• Choosing your radio frequency
• Using data standards?
•
Library RFID
Interoperability
19. Advantages of integration
• Greater consistency of rules and policies
• Access to existing database and
applications
• Easier to maintain of database integrity
• Staff mediation if system fails
Library RFID
20. Choosing your radio frequency
• UHF
– Long range characteristic is both good and
bad
– Currently does not support data standards
– Cheaper tags
Library RFID
• HF
– Most popular with libraries worldwide
– Supports data standards
– Greater precision
21. Advantages of using data
standards
• National data models have been agreed
for many countries – most are based on
ISO 28560
• Guarantees future transferability of
solutions between providers
Library RFID
• Allows you to take advantage of new
developments, and to use different
applications and hardware from different
suppliers
22. Interoperability
• To work with other RFID solutions you will need
to know:
– What standards are being used for data storage/radio
communications/integration?
– What data model is being used (is it
national/proprietary)?
Library RFID
• To work with other library applications you will
need to consider
– How data is transferred? (communications protocols)
– What information is being used?
(data protocols)
23. Summary
• RFID is a relatively simple technology with
some relatively complex issues
• Recent changes have helped reduce risks
and maximise opportunities
• Don’t consider RFID in isolation – need to
Library RFID
think about integration/interoperability –
the big picture!
• Help is available!
24. Thank you! - Questions?
Library RFID
Library RFID Ltd
e. mick@libraryrfid.co.uk w. www.libraryrfid.co.uk
@libraryrfid
Notas del editor
Most library RFID operates at 13.56MHz (usually called ‘HF’) but some in Asia and Australia have opted for UHF – which doesn’t do self-service well and doesn’t support a data model. Smart cards use a different frequency again.
The basic operation. Note that the LMS stays in control of all decision making – different ways to send data