Has RFID any more to offer libraries - or has demand peaked?

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Static? Or preparing for take-off?

The Library RFID market in 2014.

Mick FortuneLibrary RFID Ltd.

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Agenda

• 2014 survey results – highlights• What did the results tell us?• How can we gain more value from RFID?• An industry response.

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2014 Library RFID Survey• 527 replies• 16 countries

• 419 separate entities actively using RFID– 334 used HF– 79 didn’t know what they use– 6 used UHF33 libraries also using NFC for various purposes

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Replies were also received from Belgium (2 ), Guadeloupe (1 ), Indonesia (1 ), Ireland (2 ), Malaysia (2 ), Martinique (1 ), Switzerland (3 ), United Arab Emirates (1 )

2014 Library RFID Survey

Australia; 86

Canada; 8

France; 60

Germany; 19

Netherlands; 10New Zealand; 11United Kingdom;

144

United States; 68

Major Participating Countries

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2014 Library RFID Survey

Public; 251University; 107

Other academic;

28

School; 18Other; 15

Type of Library

“Others” comprised Health (6), Special (4), National (3), Public/Academic combined (1), No answer (1)

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2014 Library RFID Survey

0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350

Uses

Self service loans/returnsTheft preventionCollection managementAccess controlAcquisition/accessionAMHAt shelf operations OtherUser/Patron identification

“Other” comprises ILL management (47), Secure shelves or lockers (21), Supply Chain monitoring (9), Smartphone/tablet apps (8)

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2014 Library RFID Survey

0 20 40 60 80 100 120

Data Model based on:

ISO 28560-2ISO 28560-3Danish3MFrenchDutchSwedish

In all 294 libraries reported using a recognised data standard while 28 said they did not.

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2014 Library RFID Survey

297

22 13

Communications

SIPAPISIP and API

Despite a two year hiatus in development SIP still dominates the international RFID market.

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2014 Library RFID Survey

• What does your supplier do best?– Answering helpdesk calls? 61%– Providing professional advice 56%– Speed of implementation56%– Response to equipment failures55%– Quality of project management 52%– Response to software problems52%– Quality of after-sales support? 50%– Development requests 40%

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Interpreting the results

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Main Points

• Public libraries still the largest market sector

• Self-service still the main driver• Slow but steady growth of new

applications• Interoperability still limited• Customer satisfaction rates declining

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Comments

• RFID security frequently compared unfavourably with “tattle tape”

• Enthusiasm for innovation among librarians is high – but low among LMS(ILS) suppliers.

• Increasing numbers buying “best of breed” rather than single source of supply.

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Gaining more value from RFID

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Obstacles to improving functionality

• Poor interoperability between RFID and other library systems – has resulted in more proprietary solutions (e.g.

Bibliotheca/Innovative)• SIP no longer being developed– development passed from 3M to NISO in 2012 – yet

to re-emerge from the process• Low understanding of RFID issues among many

librarians.= Demand for open, interoperable solutions is poor

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Surmounting the obstacles

• Poor Interoperability– Industry initiative to avoid proprietary ‘lock-

in’ and improve interoperability.• Poor understanding of RFID issues.– Raise awareness of RFID potential (with

suppliers and librarians)– Generate demand for open, standards-based

solutions (by industry and libraries).

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The Prize!

• New functionality (increasing ROI).– Use of tag data for ILL/improved sorting/linking…etc.

• Create a larger, more homogeneous market for developers.– New data standard for UHF means both frequencies

can also now use data to enhance capabilities.– NFC is in the iPhone 6 (released today) so more apps

will be available to use with library RFID.• (making the need for consensus on tag data even more

important)

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An Industry Initiative

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Book Industry Communication (BIC)

– A charitable organisation owned by its members with close links to both NISO and EDITEUR.

– Almost all major suppliers of RFID and management systems operating in the UK, library bodies and librarians working together.

– Financial support from the Booksellers and Publishers Associations, British Library and CILIP (the UK’s professional body for librarians)

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The Library Communication Framework (LCF)

• Developed by BIC• Bridges the communication gap between

library management and other systems.• Designed to inhibit the growth of

proprietary solutions.• Defines data elements and values.• Not prescriptive in terms of

communication methodology

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The LCF in operation

• Requests from developers are made online and reviewed by a panel within 28 days.

• Quarterly review board oversees the work of online panel.*

• New functionality based on LCF already delivered by Bibliotheca, Axiell, Capita, 2CQR, and D-Tech International.

• Mandated in many UK system procurements.

* Panel members also include Infor, SirsiDynix and 3M – in addition to those mentioned.

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Conclusion

• RFID - at the crossroads?– The choice is between allowing RFID to become

increasingly irrelevant as digital collections grow – or use its full capability to integrate physical and virtual resources and improve the user experience.

• Who makes this choice?– Many suppliers want the market to develop, LCF is

just one example where they are working to this end. – Ultimately it will be librarians who decide – actively

through engagement, or passively through disinterest.

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Danke Schön!(more survey details at http://www.mickfortune.com/Wordpress/?p=1093)

e: [email protected]: http://www.libraryrfid.co.uk

t: +44 7786 625544: @libraryrfid

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Tomorrow’s library user!