Implementing RFID in Libraries for Automation ... · 4 1. Introduction Why RFID and not Barcode or...

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Implementing RFID in Libraries for Automation

– Experiences from over 20 current installations

Bibliotheca RFID Library Systems AGSwitzerland

M. Nauer / C. Kern

marcel.nauer@bibliotheca-rfid.com

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Contents

1. Introduction

2. System

3. Reference Installations and Experiences

4. What is Important for the Architect?

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1. Introduction

Conditions in the Library Market

- Increasing number of loans

- Different items, more AV media

- Longer opening hours

- Different user groups (younger people)

- Limitations in building size (efficient use of the room)

- Limitations in employing more staff

The only possibility Higher service level requires technical equipment!

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1. Introduction

Why RFID and not Barcode or EM?- Barcode is state of the art, but difficult to handle for users,

single processing only

- EM-strips (electro magnetic strips) only provide security, still require single processing

- RFID opens a wide range of new applications, such as:Efficient (easy) self service Stack Processing at self service and at counterInventory ControlAutomatic book returnPayment functions

Important:Non proprietary, relying on ISO Standard chips“Light” system, easy to implement and to extend Tagging of all media with same security level (incl. CD)

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1. Introduction

Bibliotheca RFIDThe Leading Provider for RFID Systems in Libraries by - Development, Production, Installation and Maintenance

of complete solutions

DistributionWorld wide, emphasis today in Europe and North America (Bibliotheca Inc. in Philadelphia)

Software-BasisDevelopment started 6 years ago with Infineon and LucatronToday’s “RFID reader/tag handling system” is the basis for success

RFID-Basis Experienced Engineers and RFID-Laboratory for own development, new products

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1. Introduction

What makes an RFID-System attractive for a library?

1. Automisation and Self ServiceRepetitive work is done by self service stations such as Self Check out and Return, Payment, Access Control

2. Customer ServiceNo more waiting lines, return of media at non-opening hours, better consultancy

3. Better Shelf Order Inventory is taken more frequently (can be done now)

4. Media Security Suitable for all materials (Books, CDs, Videos)

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1. Introduction

Economic Estimation

Assumption:

1 min / 4 borrowings = 240 borrowing / hour and person at the counter with Barcode and De-Sensitizing

1 Self Check Station will at least process the same number of items (probably more through stack processing)

Costs per year and person: ca. 40’000 EUR

Costs per Self Check Station and Labels: ca. 75’000 EUR

Amortisation in less than 3 years

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2. System

View of the User

RFID in use

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2. System

Hardware Components

Necessary:

• RFID Labels for

Books

Videos

CDs, DVDs

• Staff- and Conversion Station

• Sensor Gate Reader

• Self Check Station

Additional:

• Inventory Wand

• Book Return Station

• Access Control

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2. System

BiblioChip RFID Label – Inlay

Antenna

Chip

Capacitor

Substrate

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Book Labels

CD-Label

Book Label

2. System

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Sensor Gate Reader (width 2 x 90 cm, according to wheel chair)

2. System

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Self Check Station

2. System

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Staff- and Conversion Station

2. System

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Inventory Wand

2. System

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Book Return Station

2. System

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Book Return Station with Sorting

extendeable sorting-solutions

2. System

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Book Return Station with Sorting

2. System

standardwithout sorting

inlinesingle sorting

inlinemultiple sorting

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Book Return Station with Sorting

2. System

extended inline sorting

customized sorting

Read

er-unit

Read

er-unit

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User Cards

with/without contact chipfor payment function

2. System

Barcode and visible numberSignature Field

Library Logo

Internal RFID chip and antenna

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3. Reference Projects1. Wien, Städtische Büchereien* Austria2. Leuven, Katholieke Universiteit* Belgium3. Toronto, Richmond Hill Public Library Canada4. Siegburg, Stadtbibliothek* Germany5. Plauen, Stadtbibliothek* Germany 6. Bonn, Stiftung Cäsar* Germany 7. Bad Homburg, Stadtbibliothek* Germany 8. Kronberg, Stadtbibliothek* Germany 9. Stuttgart, Stadtbibliothek* Germany 10. Mittweida, Stadtbibliothek* Germany 11. Hilden, Stadtbibliothek* Germany 12. St. Augustin, Stadtbibliothek* Germany 13. Bergheim, Stadtbibliothek Germany 14. Dresden, Max Planck Institut* Germany 15. Krefeld, Fachhochschule Germany 16. Naharija, Public Library Israel17. Heiloo, City Library* Netherlands18. Winterthur, Stadtbibliothek* Switzerland19. Winterthur Wülflingen, Stadtbibliothek* Switzerland20. Winterthur, Tösser Haus* Switzerland21. Zürich, Pestalozzi Bibliothek Aussersihl* Switzerland22. Zürich, Pestalozzi Bibliothek Schwamendingen Switzerland23. Rotkreuz, Schul- und Gemeindebibliothek* Switzerland24. Frauenfeld, Kantonsschule* Switzerland25. Baar, Gemeindebibliothek Switzerland26. Opfikon, Gemeindebibliothek Switzerland27. Long Island, Mastics Moriches Public Library* United States of America28. Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo College, Upjohn Library United States of America29. Pittsburgh, Northland Library United States of America

*Installation done

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Building of the Public Library in Vienna (Austria)

3. Reference Projects

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Building of the Public Library in Vienna (Austria)

3. Reference Projects

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Building of the Public Library in Vienna (Austria)

3. Reference Projects

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Interior in Vienna

3. Reference Projects

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Array of Sensor Gates in Vienna

3. Reference Projects

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Self Check Stations in Vienna

3. Reference Projects

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Building of the University Library in Leuven (Belgium)

3. Reference Projects

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Sensor Gate combined with turn style at the University Library Leuven

3. Reference Projects

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Self Check Station at the University Library in Leuven

3. Reference Projects

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Building of the Public Library in Winterthur (Switzerland)

3. Reference Projects

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Access Control in Winterthur

3. Reference Projects

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Book Return Station in Winterthur

3. Reference Projects

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Sensor Gates in Winterthur

3. Reference Projects

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Self Check Stations in Winterthur

3. Reference Projects

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Encased Sensor Gates in Bonn, Stiftung Cäsar

3. Reference Projects

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Self Check Stations in Stuttgart, Stadtbibliothek

3. Reference Projects

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4. What is Important for the Architect?

Room Planning – Centralized Functions

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4. What is Important for the Architect?

Room Planning – De-central Functions

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4. What is Important for the Architect?

Changes for the Staff and the User

• Service: Presence “between the shelves”, direct consultancy (expression “floor walking” in UK)

• Higher Flexibility: not determined by visitor peak hours asbefore (e.g. re-shelving can be done)

• Different Users: more teenagers in the library. They needcloser attention

• Opening Hours: Can be extended with less staff

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4. What is Important for the Architect?

Library Management System (LMS)*

Presently major LMS providers have implemented Bibliotheca

• SISIS, BOND, Dynix, Exlibris, Predata, BiblioMondo, Innovative Interfaces (III), Sirsi

• To come soon: BiBer, Geac, Talis

For the implementation of a new LMS a test of the SIP2 interface and the integration of the BiblioChip API is necessary.

*Informative for the architect, but very important for the library planning

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4. What is Important for the Architect?

The implementation time*

- It is determined by the number of items in the library.

- To tag an item is typically the same time like for attachinga barcode label plus 3 seconds for programming.

- The KU Leuven achieved about 1500 items per day with 5 students. The work was finished in 3 months for 100.000 books.

*Informative for the architect, but very important for the library planning

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4. What is Important for the Architect?

The Interior

Positioning of the Desk

Positioning of the Self Check Stations

Positioning of the Gates

Positioning of the Book Return Station

Special points to look at Person flowCablingMetal environmentSecurity – counter close to gate, gate not close to exitPossible help at self check station Accessibility for book return at non-opening hours

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4. What is Important for the Architect?

Project Management with Bibliotheca

A software platform called ERoom is used to

• Collect all necessary information for the project participants(librarian, architect, construction leader, electricity, Bibliotheca)

• All information is available from every PC

• Timing/ Scheduling

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4. What is Important for the Architect?

How are existing security systems handled, e. g. ElectroMagnetic (EM) strips?

•In general EM strops can be used in parallel as long as the tagging of the items with RFID takes place.

•They are checked out in the traditional way with thebarcode reader and the de-sensitising of the strip. When all items are tagged, RFID can be used at thecounter and self check stations.

•EM strips can remain in the books. CDs with directlyattached EM strips cannot be re-tagged directly, werecommend to put an RFID label into the CD cover.

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4. What is Important for the Architect?

Example for Floor Planning at Kalamazoo College

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4. What is Important for the Architect?

Example Kalamazoo Sensor Gate Array

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4. What is Important for the Architect?

• An article describing the requirements for the implementation of RFID in library buildings is publishedsoon. Please ask for it at

marcel.nauer@bibliotheca-rfid.com