Walsall Health Library Service’s Experience with Implementing

RFID

Presented by: Richard Parker,Head of Knowledge and Library Services,Walsall Health Libraries

Introduction

• Future is bright, the future is RFID• Self issue and me, before RFID• The Good, the Bad and the Ugly of RFID• Self-Issue and RFID• Bids, Pit Falls and Reps• Digital Library Assistant• Library Users• Reflections on the Project• What next from Walsall RFID• Conclusions

Future is bright, the future is RFID

• What is RFID?• RFID in Libraries• RFID in Medicine• RFID in shops,

homes, security etc• Benefits to Libraries• Size and cost will

decrease• Big Brother is RFID-

ing you!

Self issue and me, before RFID

• Working at UHL• Implementing Self

Issue• Working with EM

Tags• Lessons Learnt• Walsall and learning

from the past

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly of RFID

• Good: Makes self issue easy and has long term potential

• Bad: Not as secure as EM and costs more

• Ugly: Tags are visible and easily spotted

Self-Issue and RFID

• Self issue:– Really a 24 hour

Service– Meeting Expectations– Staff time

• Why RFID: – Ease of Reader Use– Cost– It works– User statistics

Bids, Pit Falls and Reps

• Sales Reps (heroes and villains!)

• Get them to visit• Make sure you get Like

for Like Bids• RFID does it match

International Standards?• Compatible with Other

people’s Products?• Works with your LMS?• Speaking to existing

owners/site visits• Research

Digital Library Assistant

• What is a digital Library Assistant?

• Stock Checking• Weeding• Shelf Tidying• Tracking Down Lost

Books• Quality of

classification• Freeing Up Staff

Library Patrons

• User training• Positive feedback• Statistics

– Issue– Returns– Renewing

• Student Expectation• Wanting More• Keeping users trained

Reflections on the Project

• A work in Progress• Problems:

– Tagging– Training– Time

• Positive feedback• Doing more• Freeing up time• Time to develop

What next from Walsall RFID

• Doing More with the Digital Library Assistant

• Learning Centre Equipment

• Patient Records• Shelf Monitors and

trackers• Vending Machines• Tagging chairs?

Conclusions

• Self Issue works best with RFID

• More potential to improve the Library and its services with RFID

• You need to check quotes, know your stuff and find the money

• Talk to IT and Facilities• Not for everyone

Questions?