Article Summary...

1. Article 1
This article discussed about the RFID technology that start being used by a University of
Pune library in India. Through the history, RFID technology is consistent with the IFF system
use in World War II in order to detect an enemy plane. Just like the use of RFID technology in
library nowadays, it is used to detect an irresponsible patron who wants to take a library material
out without permission or at least borrow it at circulation counter. RFID technology is start being
used in library since 1990s. The first tables in this article briefly show the development of RFID
and it clearly state that it has been develop from IFF system. There are four types of RFID
technology which is RFID tags, RFID reader, antennae and RFID hand reader. Each of this
type of RFID technology has its own advantages and they are connected together for example
RFID reader is connected through antennae. As to provide a better services in the library to
handle more than 450 000 collection including non printed material such as CD ROM, Jayakar
Library, University of Pune take initiative to start using a library management system packages
in their library in year 1990s. Starting from that, all the material in the library are recorded into
the bibliographic database or known as Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC). Figure 2 show
the first time use of OPAC in Jayakar Library, University of Pune. It is an example of the
opening page of their OPAC. In 2000, Jayakar Library, University of Pune move forward by
using a barcode technology to help in circulation system but realize the technology is not
productive enough. At last, they decide to apply RFID technology into their library since it is one
of latest technology use in several libraries to improve in their management. The library use
RFID reader which is communicate with RFID tags and as this RFID reader connected to the
RFID antennae, Jayakar Library, University of Pune use a long-range reader which can trace 40
items at one time while the patrons pass away the gate so that it may helps the librarian in
tracking the irresponsible patrons who wants to take the library item out from the library without
borrowing at circulation counter. However, there are so many barrier may occurred in handling
RFID technology into a library such as the staff librarian were not technology literate. This
problem happens because it is a first time use and they need training. Figure 3 show the
LSmart module of LibSys software which is also one of the barrier faces by Jayakar Library,
university of Pune in applying RFID technology. Different vendor may supply a different
software and hardware of RFID technology so a library needs their own library staff which is
expert in this technology because they cannot simply copy how the other library use this
technology is their library. In order to provide training to the library staff, it may take a cost and
it creates a new problem in financial. Not just that, to apply this technology itself the library has

2. to spend a lot of money. Other than that, environmental factor, problem in electricity also has
become a barrier because any technology need electricity but electricity likes a critical problem
that has to be face by many libraries in India. Although there is a list of barrier that may be face
by the library in order to applied RFID technology into their library but Jayakar Library,
University of Pune succeeds to manage it. Since RFID technology is applied into this library, it
has increase the effectiveness in their library services and makes the work easier to the library
staff. With the RFID technology, the patrons can borrow or return a material with one click
without wasting their time. Figure 4 and 5 show the effectiveness of this technology and all of
this can be easily handled by the patrons by themselves. Other than that, the security of the
library collection also has improved by after this technology is applied into the library. If in
previous the irresponsible patrons can easily take the library material out but with the new
technology Jayakar Library, University of Pune get to arrest up to seven patrons who is
irresponsible to take the library material out without charging. Not just that, in plate 2 also has
show the example how RFID hand reader is been using to trace a misplace or lost library item
for example book. Once the “beep” sound is heard, it is mean that the misplace or lost library
item has been found. The decision to use RFID technology into the Jayakar Library, University
of Pune is a correct which is it has give more benefit to them but although the technology give a
thousand advantages to the user, there are still the disadvantages that the has to seriously take
a look or discuss before make a decision to use it and hopefully it may give a benefit in long
term since to apply any technology may increase the financial.

3. Citation
Bensode, S. Y. & Desale, S.K. (2008). Implementation of RFID technology in University
of Pune Library. Emerald,43(2), 202-214. Retrieved 23 February, 2010 from
www.emeraldinsight.com