RFID in the Library

Mick FortuneLibrary RFID Ltd.

A 30 minute guide

On today’s tour…

• RFID - What it is• How it works and what it’s used for• What do libraries love about it• Things to consider• Where to get advice

The Basics

What it is

Radio Frequency IDentificationData is stored on integrated circuits (called

“chips”)Can be read and written many times overData is “broadcast” via an aerialAll attached to a “form factor”

Typical RFID Tag Structure

Aerial“Chip”

“Form factor”

Tags come in all shapes and sizes…

…in many forms

…using different frequencies…Band LF HF UHF Microwave Frequency 30–300kHz 3–30MHz 300 MHz–3GHz 2–30 GHz

Typical RFID Frequencies

125–134 kHz 13.56 MHz 433 MHz or 865 – 956MHz 2.45 GHz 2.45 GHz

Approximate read range

less than 0.5 metre Up to 1.5 metres 433 MHz = up to 100 metres 865-

956 MHz = 0.5 to 5 metres Up to 10m

Typical data transfer rate

less than 1 kilobit per

second (kbit/s)

Approximately 25 kbit/s 433–956 = 30 kbit/s 2.45 =100 kbit/s Up to 100 kbit/s

Characteristics

Short-range, low data transfer

rate, penetrates water but not metal.

Higher ranges, reasonable data rate (similar to GSM phone), penetrates water

but not metal.

Long ranges, high data transfer rate, concurrent read of <100 items, cannot penetrate water or metals

Long range, high data transfer rate, cannot penetrate water or

metal

We are (mostly) here!

…for different purposes

• Road Tolls• Travelcards• Warehousing• Drug security• Brand Protection• Cats

(http://twitter.com/GusAndPenny) (http://tweetingcatdoor.com )

Including of course…Libraries!

The Context

What do libraries love about it?

• Self service– liberates staff and borrowers– extends opening hours

• Stock management– easier stocktaking– tracing items

• …and much more

How the Process Works

RFID in action: Library Self Service

RFID Device(s)

Self service loans – a simple model

Library Management System (LMS)Library

Management System (LMS)

Item(s)

Reads data from items

Sends data to LMS

Receives data from LMS

Clears security

Processes rules

Library Management System (LMS)

RFID Device(s)

The (Slightly) More Complex Model

Data exchanged RFID/LMS

Borrowers and items use

different technologies

Clears security

Processes rules

Item(s)

SIP

plus …?

Pay fines

and what else?

• ILL• Accessions• Smart displays• Interactive stock• Guiding• Offline circulation• New models for library management

systems

The Issues

(Some) Things to Consider

• Standards• Choice and Interoperability• Privacy

Standards

• For data – so we can all read the tags (ISO 28560/UK Data Model)

• For communication – to improve performance, map onto tag data and increase range of services (SIP 3.0/NCIP/Web services)

ISO 28560-2 and Data Models

• Other standards are available• UK agreed on ISO 28560-2• UKDM is a simpler subset• RFID Alliance roles

– Development– Compliance testing

Choice and Interoperability?

• Choose the solutions you want– Kiosks, shelf readers, accession tunnels

• Test interoperability– Are tags fully compliant with standards?– Will solutions work with other LMS?

Privacy

• EU directive• Data on tags

– For Items– For Borrowers

• A real concern?

Where to get advice/help.

• BIC www.bic.org.uk/e4libraries/

• MLA Guidelineshttp://www.mla.gov.uk/news_and_views/press_releases/2010/~/media/Files/pdf/2010/libraries/MLA_RFID_Guide.ashx

• NAG – coming soon• RFID List

https://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/webadmin?A0=LIB-RFID-UK

• Library RFID Blog http://www.mickfortune.com/Wordpress/

Thank You!

Mick FortuneLibrary RFID Ltd.t. +44 1865 727411m. +44 7786 625544e. mick@libraryrfid.co.ukw. www.libraryrfid.co.ukb. www.mickfortune.com/Wordpress