Smart Libraries - RFID, Self Service, and beyond…

Martin PalmerStrategic Manager Transformation & ResourcesEssex County Council: Libraries

Smart Libraries

Smart Libraries -

RFID, Self Service, and beyond…

SmartCard Networking Forum

SmartCard Networking Forum31 January 2007 Essex County Council

Smart Libraries

RFID and Libraries…?

RFID labels combine functions of:

–Barcode

–Security tag

–Without need for line of sight…

SmartCard Networking Forum31 January 2007 Essex County Council

Smart Libraries

SmartCard Networking Forum31 January 2007 Essex County Council

Smart Libraries

RFID and Libraries – applications

Range of uses, but most libraries adopt RFID for…

Self Service

SmartCard Networking Forum31 January 2007 Essex County Council

Smart Libraries

RFID and Libraries – why self service?

• Most libraries very staff intensive (c 50% of budget)

• Large amount of routine procedure

• 10% of total budget on “counter duties”?

• Staff trained to do much more than stamp books…

SmartCard Networking Forum31 January 2007 Essex County Council

Smart Libraries

Why self service?

Need to make best use of resources, but also…

–Changes in role…

–Changes in demand…

SmartCard Networking Forum31 January 2007 Essex County Council

Smart Libraries

RFID and Transformation…?

• NOT “just” technology:

» Change Staff roles…

» Change library layout…

» Change library image…?

SmartCard Networking Forum31 January 2007 Essex County Council

Smart Libraries

Government blueprint for public libraries…

• Maximise accessibility by opening at times that suit local people

• Make services easy and pleasant to use

• Reach non-users through co-location with other services such as education, social services, health or leisure services

• DCMS: Framework for the Future

SmartCard Networking Forum31 January 2007 Essex County Council

Smart Libraries

Public Libraries – the critics’ views…

• “Britain’s public libraries are in serious trouble.”

• “…public libraries may decline so far that they cannot be resuscitated.”

• “The public library system could be sleepwalking to disaster…”

Overdue: How to create a modern public library service Charles Leadbeater, Laser Foundation/Demos, April 2003

SmartCard Networking Forum31 January 2007 Essex County Council

Smart Libraries

RFID & Libraries…??

“Libraries are much further along with

using RFID in a consumer environment

than anybody else…”

Jim Lichtenberg

Lightspeed LLC

SmartCard Networking Forum31 January 2007 Essex County Council

Smart Libraries

RFID & Libraries… take-up

• Worldwide, by 2005…

–500 libraries with RFID systems…

–120 million library items with RFID tags…

• Birgit Lindl, Bibliotecha Oct 2005 in UPI : Wireless World

SmartCard Networking Forum31 January 2007 Essex County Council

Smart Libraries

RFID & Libraries…growing rapidly

Shenzhen Library

China…

Live June 2006

2 million tags…

SmartCard Networking Forum31 January 2007 Essex County Council

Smart Libraries

RFID and UK Libraries?

9 Universities on 16 sites

18 Public Library authorities on 51 sites

CILIP Survey: October 2006

SmartCard Networking Forum31 January 2007 Essex County Council

Smart Libraries

RFID in London Libraries…

• Barbican, City of London

• Sutton Central

• Camden

• Bexley

• Middlesex University

• Royal Holloway University

• And more…

SmartCard Networking Forum31 January 2007 Essex County Council

Smart Libraries

RFID in Essex Libraries

• Colchester: live September 2003

• 27 sites currently

• 35 by end of March 2007…

SmartCard Networking Forum31 January 2007 Essex County Council

Smart Libraries

RFID in Essex Libraries

• Business case for RFID based on a mix of:

– Making Gershon efficiencies (2.5% per year)

–Making better use of staff time

–Extending opening hours

–Needing fewer staff – saved by natural wastage

SmartCard Networking Forum31 January 2007 Essex County Council

Smart Libraries

SmartCard Networking Forum31 January 2007 Essex County Council

Smart Libraries

SmartCard Networking Forum31 January 2007 Essex County Council

Smart Libraries

SmartCard Networking Forum31 January 2007 Essex County Council

Smart Libraries

SmartCard Networking Forum31 January 2007 Essex County Council

Smart Libraries

SmartCard Networking Forum31 January 2007 Essex County Council

Smart Libraries

SmartCard Networking Forum31 January 2007 Essex County Council

Smart Libraries

SmartCard Networking Forum31 January 2007 Essex County Council

Smart Libraries

SmartCard Networking Forum31 January 2007 Essex County Council

Smart Libraries

SmartCard Networking Forum31 January 2007 Essex County Council

Smart Libraries

What do the public think?

• “What a great idea! – easy to use”

• “A great improvement”

• “We find the facilities and layout very convenient

– attractive ambience…”

SmartCard Networking Forum31 January 2007 Essex County Council

Smart Libraries

Self service take-up?

• November 2006 – average across 23 libraries:

–Self issue: 60%

–Self return: 76%

SmartCard Networking Forum31 January 2007 Essex County Council

Smart Libraries

Other RFID Library applications…

• Improved stock management and tracking

• Automatic sorting/conveyor systems

• Counter-less library…

• Unstaffed collections in other community buildings…

• Handheld devices for public?

• RFID library smartcards…

SmartCard Networking Forum31 January 2007 Essex County Council

Smart Libraries

RFID library cards…

• Mainly in Academic libraries so far…

• Linked to access control, or other services…

• Concern in some quarters about…

Privacy

SmartCard Networking Forum31 January 2007 Essex County Council

Smart Libraries

RFID in libraries – privacy concerns

San Francisco Public Library, and elsewhere…

• “Big Brother chip” –

“Federal government will be able to track what private

citizens are borrowing by clandestinely reading the tags

from a distance via satellite or through other means…”

SmartCard Networking Forum31 January 2007 Essex County Council

Smart Libraries

RFID and Libraries - privacy concerns

• But…

• Library RFID systems are “closed”…

• No personal data on tags…

• Tags are passive, with limited range

• Nevertheless, concern about future developments

SmartCard Networking Forum31 January 2007 Essex County Council

Smart Libraries

RFID and libraries – disadvantages?

• Cost

• Technology still developing

• Standards still developing (but progress recently)

• Lack of interoperability

• No supply chain benefits so far (may never be?)

• RFID only the front end – Library Management System

mainly determines how service works…

• Privacy concerns/public perception…

SmartCard Networking Forum31 January 2007 Essex County Council

Smart Libraries

RFID and libraries…benefits Now:

Improved customer experience

Improved security of products

Improved stock control

Better use of staff time

Potential:

Supply chain efficiencies

Interoperability

Better stock control and management

Even better customer experience…