RFID: Technology and Applications

RFID: TECHNOLOGY AND APPLICATIONS

Computers in Libraries 2011

Marshall BreedingDirector for Innovative Technology and ResearchVanderbilt University LibraryFounder and Publisher, Library Technology Guideshttp://www.librarytechnology.org/http://twitter.com/mbreedingFeb 20, 2011

Summary

As libraries consider investments in RFID-based equipment, such as selfcheck stations, anti-theft systems, automated material handling, or inventory control, it’s vital to have a solid understanding of the technology, standards, and best practices. Breeding gives an overview of the technology, some interesting applications enabled by RFID and addresses the issues and controversies brewing on the topic.

Library Technology Guides

www.librarytechnolog

y.org

Lib-web-cats Technology Profile

Lib-web-cats extended for RFID Products

Lib-web-cats tech profile

Purdue Self-check

Salt Lake Public Library Self Check

Stockholm Public Self-check

Self-check

Automated Returns

Gentofte Patron Checkout and Returns

Gentofte Public Library

Gentofte Book Stacks

Gentofte RFID-checkout

Gentofte Return

Automated Sorting

Stockholm public library sorting system

Stockholm Public Return

Stockholm Public Book Return

UNLV Staff RFID Station

UNLV RFID Wands

UNLF Automated storage

UNLV Automated Storage Barcode

Basics

Tag the Collection Self-Check Automated materials handling of returns Anti-theft

RFID for both circulation and security Hybrid systems use electro-magnetic strips

for security

Manufacturing library RFID Tags

PV Supa / IconPrint Copenhagen, Denmark

Finished RFID Tags

RFID chip

RFID vs Barcodes

Both uniquely identify materials in library collection

Lifespan of barcode: forever Lifespan of RFID tags

Active: 10 years Passive: much longer

Self-service and AMH work with either barcodes or RFID tags Additional capabilities through RFID

Major companies

3M Bibliotheca RFID CheckPoint PV Supa VTLS Tech Logic Integrated Technology Group Intellident

Relevant Standards and Protocols Connections with ILS SIP2

Standard Interchange Protocol, Version 2 NCIP

NISO Circulation Interchange Protocol

SIP Version 3?

3m Announced in March 2010 that it would lead an initiative to develop a new version of SIP

RFID vs Barcodes

All automation functions work with multiple collection identifying mechanisms – Barcode and RFID

Additional features and efficiencies possible with RIFD

Very high volume Multi-item checkouts

Beyond inventory control

2CCQR – Major UK RFID Vendor Wundarwall – intelligent display system for

promoting library materials Automatically generates dynamic

presentation of enhanced content for each item placed on the display shelves

2CCQR Wundarwall

Intellident smartBlade

Smart shelves that automatically detect items out of place or missing

Help users by showing exact location of a needed item

Implemented by Biomedical Sciences Library in Cardiff University

Cost components for RFID

Self-Check equipment Tags for each inventory item

Specialized tag products for DVD and other media products

Personnel costs for tagging collections Integration modules for integrated

library system

Automated Materials Handling Reduce manual labor involved in book

returns Check in materials and process

exception conditions Overdue Requests or holds

Sorting systems – Get items ready for reshelving

Inventory Control

Scan shelves to identify items out of place or missing

Barcodes – touch each item RFID – sweep shelves with scanner

Short term vs Long Term

Many libraries need help to reduce costs and meet demand in the short term

Longer term concern for shifts toward e-books

Personnel impact

RFID deployments can reduce personnel involvement in routine circulation functions

Capital investment in equipment vs ongoing personnel costs

Reduce repetitive motion injuries Decrease personnel to recoup equipment

costs Redeploy personnel to gain added value with

customers Example: Genofte library in Denmark

Stability of RFID

Technologies will change over time Generational changes expected Standards help ensure compatibility

Academic vs Public

RFID appropriate for collections with higher turnover

Phase in tags for initial deployment and subsequent transitions

Difficult match for large collections with limited circulation and limited turnover

Privacy and security

Concern that non-library RFID equipment can be used to violate library patron privacy

Do not encode bibliographic information on tags: only unique identifiers neutral to content

Standards

Physical tag characteristics High Frequency: 13.56MHz

Data models for encoding tags

Why the need for an RFID data standard

Avoids vendor lock-in and obsolescence Allows tags to be used in multi-library

resource sharing Consortium – regional – national

RFID in the United Kingdom

Struggle with standards Selection of variable-length data model

ISO 28560 -2 RFID Alliance

3M, 2CQR, Axiell, Bibliotheca, DTech, Intellident, and Plescon Security Products

Controversies regarding compliance

ISO 28560 – 3-part International Standard for RFID in Libraries

Part 1 – Specifies general model and data elements, security and privacy guidelines, physical characteristics and placement on materials

Part 2 – data model and encoding rules with variable-length encoding The encoding rules also enable the optional data to be

organized on the RFID tag in any sequence. In addition, the encoding rules provide for flexible encoding of variable length and variable format data.

Part 3 – data model and encoding rules with fixed-length encoding ISO 28560-3:2011 specifies the rules for encoding a subset of

data elements taken from the total set of data elements listed in ISO 28560-1 into a basic block, and other data elements into extension blocks onto the RFID tag.

Convergent Software

ISO 28560-2 Planning and Modeling software select and arrange data elements and encoding

these on a simulated tag ISO 28560-2 Quality Control software

fully compliant decoder with the additional function of diagnostic software that identifies encoding errors 

ISO 28560-2 Comprehensive software combines the functionality of the planning software

and the quality control software products with our Data Editor tool

Conformity with Standards

Look for vendors to make announcements regarding plans to produce and offer retrospective support for standards

Challenge for libraries that have already made investments in pre-standard products

Reprogram Tags? Re-tag collections?

Current issue: 3M vs. EnvisionWare 3M and 3M Innovative Properties Co. filed a

patent infringement lawsuit in federal district court for the District of Minnesota today against EnvisionWare Inc. seeking injunctive relief and damages for infringement. The suit alleges that EnvisionWare’s sale of library systems, including self-service circulation systems and handheld RFID library systems, constitutes infringement of 3M’s patents. June 23, 2009 Case: 0:09-cv-01594-ADM-FLN

The Shrinking LMS

The Library Management System no longer stands as the single library automation product that provides comprehensive support for all aspects of library operations.

Many libraries putting much less emphasis on LMS

Manages workflows related to physical materials

Investments in electronic content increasing

Management of e-content handled outside of the ILS

…shrinking LMS

Yet: libraries need comprehensive business automation more than ever. Mandate for more efficient operations. Do more with less.

Proliferation of automation products needed to handle all aspects of libraries can overwhelm many libraries

Libraries lack technical personnel and needed capital to purchase and manage multiple systems

Legacy LMS Model

Circulation

BIB

Staff Interfaces:

Holding / Items

CircTransact

User Vendor Policies$$$

Funds

Cataloging Acquisitions Serials OnlineCatalog

Public Interfaces:

Interfaces

BusinessLogic

DataStores

`

Legacy ILS Model / API

Circulation

BIB

Staff Interfaces:

Holding / Items

CircTransact

User Vendor Policies$$$

Funds

Cataloging Acquisitions Serials OnlineCatalog

Public Interfaces:

Interfaces

BusinessLogic

DataStores

Application Programming Interfaces

Legacy ILS Model / protocol

Circulation

BIB

Staff Interfaces:

Holding / Items

CircTransact

User Vendor Policies$$$

Funds

CatalogingAcquisitions Serials OnlineCatalog

Public Interfaces:

Application Programming Interfaces

Protocols: SIP2 NCIP Z39.50 OAI-PMH

Self-Check

Self-Check

Interlibrary

LoanSystem

Interlibrary

LoanSystem

Legacy ILS Model / External API

Circulation

BIB

Staff Interfaces:

Holding / Items

CircTransact

User Vendor Policies$$$

Funds

CatalogingAcquisitions Serials OnlineCatalog

Public Interfaces:

Application Programming Interfaces / Web Services

Protocols: SIP2 NCIP Z39.50 OAI-PMH

ExternalSystems

& Services

ExternalSystems

& Services

Flexible Interoperability

Con

solid

ate

d in

dex

Search Engine

Discovery ServiceSearch:

Digital Coll

ProQuest

EBSCO…

JSTOR

Other Resour

ces

New Library Management Model

`

API Layer

Library Management

System

LearningManageme

nt

LearningManageme

nt

Enterprise ResourcePlanning

Enterprise ResourcePlanning

StockManageme

nt

StockManageme

nt

Self-Check /

Automated Return

Self-Check /

Automated Return

Authentication

Service

Authentication

Service

Smart Cad /

Payment systems

Smart Cad /

Payment systems

ILS as Middleware

Integrated library system provides strategic core of automation

Less involved with end-user contact Discovery for Web-based collection

discovery and user services Self-service stations for loans and returns Smart-card and payment systems

RFID & LMS

Can RFID deliver value beyond self-check and AMH?

Need enhanced interoperability models Leverage existing standards and API’s in

the same way that the ILS-DI protocols provided needed support to connect LMS and Discovery products

Provide comprehensive automation model that helps libraries improve service and increase value to their communities

NISO Resources

RFID in Libraries (Dec 2007) http://www.niso.org/publications/rp/RP-6-

2008.pdf

Opportunity for additional in-depth information

NISO Two-Part Webinar: RFID Systems in Libraries PART I: RFID Systems in Libraries: An

Introduction http://www.niso.org/news/events/2011/niso

webinars/rfidpartone/ April 13, 2011

PART II: Standards for RFID Systems in Libraries April 20, 2011

Resources and Experts

RFID Blog (UK oriented) http://www.libraryrfid.co.uk/ Created by Mick Fortune

Questions and discussion