Making the Most of RFID in Libraries

Martin Palmer BA MBA MCLIP MCMI is Principal Officer: Libraries for Essex County Council. He is Chair both of the BIC/CILIP RFID in Libraries Group, and of BIC’s E4Libraries Steering Committee.

• PrefaceIntroductionTerminology: a note about ‘customers’ Acknowledgements 1. RFID, libraries and the wider world Why RFID and libraries? RFID – the technology: a brief history RFID – the technology: frequencies RFID – the technology: process RFID – a disruptive technology . . . ? RFID and the wider world – some existing applications Disrupted libraries? RFID and libraries – a brief summary of the main applications Summary 2. RFID and libraries: the background and the basics The early days RFID in libraries – how it works: the basics Audiovisual material – a problem area . . . Another complicated area – multipart items Summary 3. RFID, library applications and the library management systemRFID and the LMS – why do you need both? The changing market for LMS SIP SIP or NCIP? Back-up: is offline service the same as online? Self-payment Staff processes ContentsSelf-service and the LMS – some other complications RFID and stock control Acquisitions Navigating the library Summary 4. Standards and interoperability Standards, or free for all? Interoperability – is it really needed? It’s not just about interoperability . . . What standards are there? Licence plate or full data? ISO 28560 – towards a standard library data model The AFI (Application Family Identifier) The DSFID Summary 5. PrivacyInteroperability and privacy RFID opponents Hotlisting and tracking RFID and (some) religious groups RFID and hacking RFID and legal limitations Encrypted tags? RFID and privacy – a continuing debate Summary 6 .RFID and health and safety RFID – what are the safety concerns? RFID and health and safety law Which standards? RFID and medical devices? RFID and health and safety – the plus side? RFID and health and safety – the future? Summary 7. RFID and library design The changing role of library buildingsThe impact of computerization What’s this got to do with RFID? Library layout Library furniture Security and building supervision External aspects Summary 8. Building a business case for RFID in libraries, and requesting proposals Risk and reward Rationale Implementing RFID – the benefits Preparing a request for proposal (RFP) Summary 9. Staffing: savings, redeployment or something else?RFID and staffing efficiencies How much work is being saved? Summary 10. Buying a system: evaluating the offersRange of suppliers/range of responses Why systematic evaluation is important How to evaluate systematically Summary 11. Installing RFID: project managementProject management Risk management The main tasks The first day live Review and follow-up Summary 12. Making the most of RFID: a case studyIn the beginning . . . Searching for a solution Looking for a supplier Branding, guiding and layout Staff roles Next stages The roll-out The outcome How important is RFID to this case study?Summary 13. RFID, libraries and the future New and developing uses for RFID Developing tag technology Conclusion Further information Websites Forums Blogs Library RFID system suppliers

"…it is THE book to read if you want to inform yourself about the technology…highly recommended for all levels of library and information personnel and for library students and faculty alike…this is a compulsory read and a book I would strongly recommend." - Library Management