RFID implementation in a multi-branch system Susanna Aakko, Helsinki Ewa Helgesson, Göteborg Public Libraries

RFID for beginners  HelMet RFID report 2006 Compiling information Compiling information Meeting Finnish vendors Meeting Finnish vendors Library visist (Nacka, Silkeborg and Kgs. Lyngby) Library visist (Nacka, Silkeborg and Kgs. Lyngby)  Contents of the report What is RFID? What is RFID? RFID in libraries RFID in libraries RFID in HelMet Libraries: How could we use RFID? Should we use RFID? RFID in HelMet Libraries: How could we use RFID? Should we use RFID?  Decided to wait Would be a big project Would be a big project Selfcheck devices already in use Selfcheck devices already in use  Estimate costs and possible time scale 2009

RFID is an option  Radio Frequency Identification  Identify objects by using barcode or by using RFID (circulation, inventory etc.)  Detect thefts by using electro-magnetic stripes or by using RFID  You can also use RFID in library cards  Hardware standards, standards for data, tag quality  RFID is more complicated technology

Products  RFID tag = chip + antenna read/write or read only, passive or active read/write or read only, passive or active  Conversion station  RFID reader (antenna),13.56 MHz self-check devices self-check devices staff workstations staff workstations portable readers for inventory etc. portable readers for inventory etc. security gates security gates  Integration with library system Item status API (sensitization status) Item status API (sensitization status)

Investing in RFID (by 3M)  Why to invest in RFID? Customer satisfaction, faster and more accurate service Customer satisfaction, faster and more accurate service Staff procuctivity and satisfaction, opportunities for enhanced services Staff procuctivity and satisfaction, opportunities for enhanced services Staff health, reduced handling of items Staff health, reduced handling of items Financial responsibility Financial responsibility  Whyt to wait? Privacy concerns – limits of technology Privacy concerns – limits of technology Expense – waiting for price drops vs. immediate cost savings Expense – waiting for price drops vs. immediate cost savings Disruption – conversion can be painless Disruption – conversion can be painless

RFID in HelMet Libraries?  What’s the goal? check-out, check-in and hold pickup at any branch check-out, check-in and hold pickup at any branch > 60 branches > 60 branches > 200 selfcheck devices > 200 selfcheck devices > items > items  What do we need? Estimation of costs and realistic time scale Estimation of costs and realistic time scale Very good project plan Very good project plan  Learning from other libraries, RFIDLab Finland and RFID vendors

RFID Live Experiences  RFID implementation in Göteborg public library – Ewa Helgesson  RFID implementation in Chalmers University of Technology Library – Kerstin Brütte