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?