Implementing RFID in Libraries for Automation Experiences from over 20 current installations

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Implementing RFID in Libraries

for Automation

– Experiences from

over 20 current installations

Bibliotheca RFID Library Systems AG

Switzerland

M. Nauer / C. Kern

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1. Introduction

Conditions in the Library Market

- Increasing number of loans

- Different items, more AV media - Longer opening hours

- Different user groups (younger people)

- Limitations in building size (efficient use of the room) - Limitations in employing more staff

The only possibility Æ Higher service level requires technical equipment!

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1. Introduction

Why RFID and not Barcode or EM?

- Barcode is state of the art, but difficult to handle for users, single processing only

- EM-strips (electro magnetic strips) only provide security, still require single processing

- RFID opens a wide range of new applications, such as:

Æ Efficient (easy) self service

Æ Stack Processing at self service and at counter Æ Inventory Control

Æ Automatic book return Æ Payment functions

Important:

Æ Non proprietary, relying on ISO Standard chips Æ “Light” system, easy to implement and to extend

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1. Introduction

Bibliotheca RFID

The Leading Provider for RFID Systems in Libraries by

- Development, Production, Installation and Maintenance of complete solutions

Distribution

World wide, emphasis today in Europe and North America (Bibliotheca Inc. in Philadelphia)

Software-Basis

Æ Development started 6 years ago with Infineon and Lucatron

Æ Today’s “RFID reader/tag handling system” is the basis for success

RFID-Basis

Æ Experienced Engineers and RFID-Laboratory for own development, new products

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1. Introduction

What makes an RFID-System attractive for a library? 1. Automisation and Self Service

Repetitive work is done by self service stations such as Self Check out and Return, Payment, Access Control

2. Customer Service

No more waiting lines, return of media at non-opening hours, better consultancy

3. Better Shelf Order

Inventory is taken more frequently (can be done now)

4. Media Security

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1. Introduction

Economic Estimation

Assumption:

1 min / 4 borrowings = 240 borrowing / hour and person at the counter with Barcode and De-Sensitizing

1 Self Check Station will at least process the same number of items (probably more through stack processing)

Costs per year and person: ca. 40’000 EUR

Costs per Self Check Station and Labels: ca. 75’000 EUR

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2.

System

View of the User

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2. System

Hardware Components

Necessary:

• RFID Labels for Books

Videos

CDs, DVDs

• Staff- and Conversion Station • Sensor Gate Reader

• Self Check Station Additional:

• Inventory Wand • Book Return Station • Access Control

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10 2. System

BiblioChip RFID Label – Inlay

Antenna

Chip

Capacitor Substrate

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11 Book Labels

CD-Label Book Label

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12 Sensor Gate Reader

(width 2 x 90 cm, according to wheel chair)

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13 Self Check Station

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14 Staff- and Conversion Station

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15 Inventory Wand

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16 Book Return Station

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17 Book Return Station with Sorting

extendeable sorting-solutions 2. System

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2. System

standard

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2. System

extended inline sorting customized sorting Read er-unit Re ad er -u ni t

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20 User Cards

with/without contact chip for payment function

2. System

Barcode and visible number Signature Field

Library Logo

Internal RFID chip and antenna

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3. Reference Projects

1. Wien, Städtische Büchereien* Austria

2. Leuven, Katholieke Universiteit* Belgium

3. Toronto, Richmond Hill Public Library Canada

4. Siegburg, Stadtbibliothek* Germany

5. Plauen, Stadtbibliothek* Germany

6. Bonn, Stiftung Cäsar* Germany

7. Bad Homburg, Stadtbibliothek* Germany

8. Kronberg, Stadtbibliothek* Germany

9. Stuttgart, Stadtbibliothek* Germany

10. Mittweida, Stadtbibliothek* Germany

11. Hilden, Stadtbibliothek* Germany

12. St. Augustin, Stadtbibliothek* Germany

13. Bergheim, Stadtbibliothek Germany

14. Dresden, Max Planck Institut* Germany

15. Krefeld, Fachhochschule Germany

16. Naharija, Public Library Israel

17. Heiloo, City Library* Netherlands

18. Winterthur, Stadtbibliothek* Switzerland 19. Winterthur Wülflingen, Stadtbibliothek* Switzerland

20. Winterthur, Tösser Haus* Switzerland

21. Zürich, Pestalozzi Bibliothek Aussersihl* Switzerland 22. Zürich, Pestalozzi Bibliothek Schwamendingen Switzerland 23. Rotkreuz, Schul- und Gemeindebibliothek* Switzerland 24. Frauenfeld, Kantonsschule* Switzerland

25. Baar, Gemeindebibliothek Switzerland

26. Opfikon, Gemeindebibliothek Switzerland

27. Long Island, Mastics Moriches Public Library* United States of America

28. Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo College, Upjohn Library United States of America

29. Pittsburgh, Northland Library United States of America *Installation done

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Building of the Public Library in Vienna (Austria)

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Interior in Vienna

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Array of Sensor Gates in Vienna

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Self Check Stations in Vienna

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Building of the University Library in Leuven (Belgium)

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Sensor Gate combined with turn style at the University Library Leuven

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Self Check Station at the University Library in Leuven

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Building of the Public Library in Winterthur (Switzerland)

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Access Control in Winterthur

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Book Return Station in Winterthur

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Sensor Gates in Winterthur

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Self Check Stations in Winterthur

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Encased Sensor Gates in Bonn, Stiftung Cäsar

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Self Check Stations in Stuttgart, Stadtbibliothek

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38 4. What is Important for the Architect?

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Changes for the Staff and the User

• Service: Presence “between the shelves”, direct consultancy (expression “floor walking” in UK)

• Higher Flexibility: not determined by visitor peak hours as before (e.g. re-shelving can be done)

• Different Users: more teenagers in the library. They need closer attention

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Library Management System (LMS)*

Presently major LMS providers have implemented Bibliotheca • SISIS, BOND, Dynix, Exlibris, Predata, BiblioMondo, Innovative Interfaces (III), Sirsi

• To come soon: BiBer, Geac, Talis

For the implementation of a new LMS a test of the SIP2 interface and the integration of the BiblioChip API is necessary.

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The implementation time*

- It is determined by the number of items in the library.

- To tag an item is typically the same time like for attaching a barcode label plus 3 seconds for programming.

- The KU Leuven achieved about 1500 items per day with 5 students. The work was finished in 3 months for 100.000 books.

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The Interior

Positioning of the Desk

Positioning of the Self Check Stations Positioning of the Gates

Positioning of the Book Return Station Special points to look at

Æ Person flow Æ Cabling

Æ Metal environment

Æ Security – counter close to gate, gate not close to exit Æ Possible help at self check station

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Project Management with Bibliotheca

A software platform called ERoom is used to

• Collect all necessary information for the project participants (librarian, architect, construction leader, electricity,

Bibliotheca)

• All information is available from every PC • Timing/ Scheduling

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How are existing security systems handled, e. g. Electro Magnetic (EM) strips?

•In general EM strops can be used in parallel as long as the tagging of the items with RFID takes place.

•They are checked out in the traditional way with the barcode reader and the de-sensitising of the strip. When all items are tagged, RFID can be used at the counter and self check stations.

•EM strips can remain in the books. CDs with directly attached EM strips cannot be re-tagged directly, we recommend to put an RFID label into the CD cover.

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Example Kalamazoo Sensor Gate Array

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• An article describing the requirements for the

implementation of RFID in library buildings is published soon. Please ask for it at

Implementing RFID in Libraries for Automation Experiences from over 20 current installations