1. 77th IFLA General Conference and Assembly
RFID in the Library Context: Integration, Interoperability, and Business Environment
Marshall Breeding
Director for Innovative Technology and Research
Vanderbilt University Library
Founder and Publisher, Library Technology Guides
77th IFLA General Conference and Assembly 
17 Aug 2011

2. Summary
Many aspects of technology supporting the automation of libraries are changing rapidly. Service-oriented architecture, Web-based computing, increased integration of social networking concepts, as well as cloud computing such as software-as-a-service characterize this emerging landscape. Products and services making use of RFID technology have to exist in an automation ecosystem increasingly reshaped by these technologies. Breeding will present a view of how RFID and related technologies fit into this evolving environment, some of the challenges involved such as the need for more modern protocols for interoperability, and some of the opportunities enabled for new efficiencies and innovations. He will also review some of the changes in the global RFID business landscape and comment on its implications for libraries that depend on their products and services.

3. Library Technology Guides

4. Library Technology Guides
Includes lib-web-cats directory of libraries
Tracks library automation products used by libraries: LMS, Discovery, Link resolvers, etc.
Recently added section on RFID and related products
Interest in collecting data on how these products have been implemented globally

5. Lib-web-cats Technology Profile

6. Koha Libraries Worldwide

7. Lib-web-cats extended for RFID Products

8. Lib-web-cats tech profile

9. LJ Automation Marketplace
Annual Industry report published in Library Journal:
2010: The New Frontier
2009: Investing in the Future
2008: Opportunity out of turmoil
2007: An industry redefined
2006: Reshuffling the deck
2005: Gradual evolution
2004: Migration down, innovation up
2003: The competition heats up
2002: Capturing the migrating customer

10. The New Frontier…
new phase of competition following a period of research and development that aimed to provide alternatives to libraries, both in back-end automation and end user discovery. A variety of new solutions have emerged, often representing quite different conceptual models. In a continued trend, librarians seek solutions that immediately improve the experiences of their users, especially via discovery products.

11. Phase of realignment in LMS platforms
Strong need to realign library automation with current library realities
Legacy library systems reinforce workflows no longer in step with library priorities.
Need systems that allow libraries to allocate personnel in proper proportion to collection
Separate automation platforms for print and electronic have not proven successful

12. Key Context: Technologies in transition
XML / Web services / Service-oriented Architecture
Local computing shifting to cloud platforms
SaaS / private cloud / public cloud
Beyond Web 2.0:
Integration of social computing into core infrastructure
Full spectrum of devices
full-scale / net book / tablet / mobile

13. Revised library automation priorities
Fundamental assumption: Print + Digital + Social
Print-focused models not adequate for modern libraries
Libraries currently moving toward surrounding core ILS with additional modules to handle electronic content, social engagement, resource sharing, and self-service
New discovery layer interfaces replacing or supplementing ILS OPACS
Working toward a new model of library automation
Monolithic legacy architectures replaced by fabric of SOA applications
Comprehensive Resource Management
“It's Time to Break the Mold of the Original ILS” Computers in Libraries Nov/Dec 2007

14. Working toward more Open Systems
Achieving openness has risen as the key driver behind library technology strategies
Open source
Open API’s
Demand for Interoperability
Libraries need to do more with their data
Ability to improve customer experience

15. The Shrinking LMS
The Library Management System no longer stands as the single library automation product that provides comprehensive support for all aspects of library operations.
Many libraries putting much less emphasis on LMS
Manages workflows related to physical materials
Investments in electronic content increasing
Management of e-content handled outside of the ILS

16. Legacy LMS Model Interfaces Business Logic Data Stores BIB
Staff Interfaces:
Public Interfaces:
Interfaces
Business Logic
Circulation
Cataloging
Acquisitions
Serials
Online Catalog
Data Stores
BIB
Holding / Items
Circ Transact
User
Vendor
$$$
Funds
Policies

17. Breaking out of the mold
Academic and Research libraries especially struggle with how to deal with managing increasing proportions of licensed electronic content
Public Libraries seeking technologies that facilitate engagement with their users: social, interactive, dynamic
LMS geared toward print materials
New generation of products emerging to address new and emerging library realities

18. Interoperability Protocols relevant to RFID
Standard Protocols for access to item and patron data
SIP
NCIP
Standard Protocols for access to bibliographic data
OAI-PMH
ILS-DI (Integrated Library System – Discovery Interface)
Standard Protocols for access to other data and functionality
API’s specific to automation platform
Generalized set of API’s

19. SIP: System Interchange Protocol
Initially created by 3M, used widely throughout industry for self-service and other tasks needing access to patron and item data and status in library automation systems.
3M: “Permission is hereby granted to utilize this protocol in hardware and software products but no permission is granted to create derivative works or otherwise modify the protocol” (from ver 2.0 document)
Version 1: 1993
Version 2: 2006
Version 3: Draft currently under review

20. NISO Circulation Interchange Protocol
Official Standard designed to operate in the same space as SIP
Z39.83
Part 1 approved October 2002; Part 2 Approved Nov 2008
Not widely adopted for self-service
More widely used in resource sharing: interlibrary loan and direct consortial borrowing
Open source NCIP Toolkit developed and released by the eXtensible Catalog project

21. Application Programming Interfaces
Automation products cannot exist in isolated silos
APIs provide a set of tools used by programmers to:
Extend Functionality
Connect external systems
Extract or synchronize data
Proprietary API’s common in LMS space
Moving toward open API’s and Web Services

22. Benefits of APIs to Libraries
Extensibility
Interoperability
Allows the LMS to connect with other automation components
Create a matrix of interconnected systems rather than isolated silos with redundant data and functionality
LMS maturity means similar levels of functionality
LMS products increasingly differentiated by extent and quality of APIs and interoperability support

23. Application Programming Interfaces
Legacy ILS Model / API `
Staff Interfaces:
Public Interfaces:
Interfaces
Application Programming Interfaces
Business Logic
Circulation
Cataloging
Acquisitions
Serials
Online Catalog
Data Stores
BIB
Holding / Items
Circ Transact
User
Vendor
$$$
Funds
Policies

24. Legacy ILS Model / protocol
Circulation
BIB
Staff Interfaces:
Holding / Items
Circ Transact
User
Vendor
Policies
$$$
Funds
Cataloging
Acquisitions
Serials
Online Catalog
Public Interfaces:
Application Programming Interfaces
Interlibrary Loan
System
Protocols: SIP2 NCIP Z39.50 OAI-PMH
Self-Check

25. Legacy ILS Model / External API
Circulation
BIB
Staff Interfaces:
Holding / Items
Circ Transact
User
Vendor
Policies
$$$
Funds
Cataloging
Acquisitions
Serials
Online Catalog
Public Interfaces:
Application Programming Interfaces / Web Services
External Systems & Services
Flexible Interoperability
Protocols: SIP2 NCIP Z39.50 OAI-PMH

26. LMS as Middleware LMS provides strategic core of automation
Less involved with end-user contact
Discovery for Web-based collection discovery and user services
Self-service stations for loans and returns
Smart-card and payment systems

27. Library Services Platform model
Consolidated index
Search Engine
Discovery Service
Search:
Digital Coll
ProQuest
EBSCO …
JSTOR
Other Resources
Self-Check / Automated Return `
API Layer
Library Management System
Stock Management
Enterprise Resource Planning
Smart Cad / Payment systems
Learning Management
Authentication Service

28. RFID Business Environment

29. Major RFID Companies 2CQR (UK) 3M Library Systems
(also supports Checkpoint)
Bibliotheca / Intellident / Bibliotheca ITG
Book-Tech (Taiwan)
Convergent Software (RFID support software, Validation)
D-Tech (United Kingdom)
EnvisionWare (diverse product line including RFID)
Libramation (Canada)
Lib~Chip RFID system
Lyngsoe Systems (Sorting systems RFID/Barcode)
mK Sorting Systms (RFID / sorting, self-check, etc)
PV Supa (Finland, Scandinavia)
Shenzen Seaever Inteligent Technology (China – RFID systems)
Swisslog Telelift GmbH (book transportation systems)
Tech Logic (Owned by TLC)
VTLS – Fastrack VTLS division

30. Consolidation
Transition from a fragmented industry of many small players into one where dominated by large global companies
Many companies continue to prosper that operate within a region or country

31. Bibliotheca – Intellident – ITG
Three former competitors joint to form new global company
Integrated Technology Group – United States
Spun off of Vernon Library Supplies
Intellident
Based in the United Kingdom
Ident SAS (French subsidiary)
Bibliotheca RFID Systems
Based in Switzerland

32. New Global Company Operates regionally under existing brands
Bibliotheca ITG / Intellident / Bibliotheca
Global company: Library Solutions BV
Majority ownership: One Equity Partners
Shai Robkin

33. Diversification
Companies involved in RFID tend to offer diversified products, often to different vertical markets
Diverse technologies: RFID, Electromagnetic, software, hardware, manufacturing
Different dependencies on suppliers of RFID chips, etc.

34. 3M Library Systems Largest player in RFID and self-service
Electromagnetic + RFIC products
Major launch into the e-book arena
3M Cloud Library
Intends to compete with Overdrive
E-book content – licensed through major publishers
Integration layer – leveraging SIP and other mechanisms developed in support of self-check
E-book reader – developed for institutional lending
In-library kiosk for discovery and download

35. Intellectual Property Issues
Patent dispute between 3M and EnvisionWare
3M filed patent infringement suit against EnvisionWare June 23, 2009
United States Patents involved in the suite include: 6,486,780, 6,232,870, and 6,857,568
USPTO ruled 6,486,780 patent awarded to 3M dealing as invalid
USPTO review of 6,857,568 still in process
Announcement of confidential private settlement on August 12, 2011

36. RFID Technology Issues

37. Privacy Issues How much information to encode on tags Identifier only?
Additional functionality available with more content
Essential to avoid matching materials information with user
User data can be read from non-library materials
No public search of identifiers stored in tag

38. RFID Data Encoding Standards
ISO Standards published in March 2011
ISO :2011
ISO :2011
ISO :2011
NISO: Proposed that US libraries adopt Section 1 and 2 and develop a national profile

39. RFID & LMS Can RFID deliver value beyond self-check and AMH?
Need enhanced interoperability models
Leverage existing standards and API’s in the same way that the ILS-DI protocols provided needed support to connect LMS and Discovery products
Provide comprehensive automation model that helps libraries improve service and increase value to their communities

40. General Observations
Industry maturing with larger and more stable companies
Increased development of Standards
Helpful to the extend adopted
Risks of investing in RFID diminishing
RFID currently focused on increased efficiency
RFID technologies increasingly positioned to support more innovative services

41. Questions and discussion