intro
The library industry uses RFID for a streamlined organization and enhanced visitor experiences. Manual management of library assets can be imprecise and time consuming, but implementing RFID can automate some or all of the process. By tagging books and other returnable library assets, RFID enables efficient tracking and monitoring of these items. RFID is also being used in innovative ways to provide additional functionality, allowing libraries to be as smart as the books they contain.
how is rfid used in libraries?
rfid is used to enhance the functions of the library. As the popularity of RFID increased in the year 2000, countries around the world announced their intention to integrate RFID technology into their library systems. today rfid is commonly used in libraries around the world.
You are reading: Rfid tag in books
RFID library systems can be configured using different subsets of the RFID spectrum, most commonly using HF (high frequency), NFC (near field communication), and UHF (ultra high frequency). Below are the key differences in these types of RFID technology:
hf: hf can read labels up to three feet away and is commonly used with library books, ticketing, and payments. HF RFID systems can also read multiple tags at once. additionally, this frequency range works well when tracking items involving metal and water.
nfc: A subset of hf, nfc transmits and receives data only a few centimeters away, making it ideal for close-range reading. Because smartphones are often used as readers in an NFC system, the technology is convenient and affordable. nfc is ideal for rfid beginners and small-scale systems.
For more information on nfc, see the 29 nfc q&as blog post.
uhf: uhf, also known as rfid rain, has a reading range between ten and ten meters. Due to its greater read range, this frequency has many typical applications in industries such as retail, healthcare, transportation, and manufacturing. however, due to the shorter wavelengths of uhf, this frequency is more susceptible to interference from metal and water.
By using RFID to create intelligent systems, libraries can easily locate and track assets.
1. Basic RFID Library System – Handley Regional Libraries
the handley regional library system in virginia uses rfid in this way. Instead of scanning each item as it is individually checked out, users can place a stack of books on an RFID-enabled pallet and pull them all out in one scan. RFID is also used in these libraries to help staff sort returned books. As the books pass through the return chute, they are identified by the genre or section to which they belong. these books are placed on a conveyor belt and deposited in containers with similar titles.
See Also: The 22 Best Marketing Books You Need to Read in 2022
photo from handley regional library system website.
while most libraries use rfid in a similar way, some have integrated the technology in unique ways. this is how libraries are using rfid in creative and innovative ways:
2. smart rfid shelves – quebec
quebec public libraries are using rfid-enabled shelves to automate book returns and increase circulation. this facility is an effort to reduce the time returned books spend out of circulation before becoming available for loan again. now, returned books can simply be placed on the nearest smart shelf. these books are immediately registered in the library’s computer system and are available for loan. when a shelf fills up, the librarians move the returned books to their correct places.
As books are placed on the shelves, the unique information from each book’s RFID HF tag is read and documented in the library’s computer system. each shelf is equipped with multiple antennas, a reader and a detachable cable. this cable connects the shelves to an information column, which includes a computer, reader, and application software to communicate with the library’s management system.
photo of the rfid journal.
3. library inventory management robot – singapore
Researchers in Singapore have created an rfid-enabled robot called auross, which stands for Autonomous Robotic Shelf Scanning System. the invention is designed to inventory and track the exact location of books in libraries. auross requires no staff to operate and is designed to be used while the library is closed. once activated, the robot can self-navigate through shelves and search for lost or misplaced books. tests in singapore libraries revealed auross to be 99% accurate in its readings.
By using laser maps to navigate and by attaching RFID HF tags to each book, the robotic device can follow along the curved or straight edges of the shelves and detect individual items. With an antenna located on the robot arm, the device can “reach out” for items and get a close and accurate reading of the contents of each shelf.
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photo from the library newspaper.
4. self-service library stations – hong kong
Hong Kong is implementing self-service library stations to counter the lack of public libraries in the region. These 24-hour library stations function like a vending machine, allowing patrons to check out and return titles, pick up reserved materials, and pay library fees. these stations also have 300 spaces to store books as they check in and out of the kiosk.
Library stations can be set up anywhere with a power outlet and an internet connection with a fixed ip address. Users can check out and return books with UHF RFID tags at the kiosk. The status of each book is then transmitted online to the Hong Kong Public Library’s database, giving librarians information on each item and when to restock stations.
Photo from Hong Kong Public Libraries website.
what you need to know when considering a smart library
Below are some tips to think about implementing your own rfid library system:
- The first step in creating any rfid application is to determine the problem it is intended to solve. Are the returned books not readily available for loan? Are books often searched but lost? determine what your goals are in selecting the best type of system for your library.
Read more common questions and answers before you buy in our implementation of an rfid system: 20 questions & amp; answer guide.
- determine if the best frequency for your system is hf, nfc or uhf. There are more “out of the box” solutions for the hf and nfc library systems, but they have shorter read ranges. UHF may provide longer read range and additional functionality, but the frequency offers fewer “out-of-the-box” solutions. a software engineer can create the necessary middleware between the rfid hardware and the legacy movie system, no matter what frequency is chosen.
- tag the inside of each book with an rfid tag. try using a paper label with or without human readable information or a barcode. if a transparent embed should be used, try to hide the label from view. It is suggested to hide the tags so that users don’t remove the RFID tags from the books. Although each tag typically costs a few cents, the price of replacement tags can add up quickly if curious users constantly remove tags from books, and the system is unable to track books without tags.
- Like most RFID applications, remember to start small with one or two read zones in a proof of concept and then gradually expand. this way, problems can be caught early on and avoided when the system is fully implemented. for example, start with one I/O station and resolve any initial issues before expanding to multiple stations.
conclusion
For more information on all things rfid, check out our website, our youtube channel, our resources page, or contact us.
If you want to learn more about other real world rfid applications, check out the links below.
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- rfid on the move: high-speed applications
- smart museums: how rfid is making its mark