Technology and Libraries:RFID vs. Barcodes a presentation given at MELCOM International 27th Conference
May 23-25, 2005 Alexandria, Egypt
by
Houeida Kammourié-Charara
Head, Information Systems Department
University Libraries
Notre Dame University-Louaizé
1. Technology and Libraries: RFID vs. Barcodes Houeida Kammourié-Charara Head, Information Systems Department University Libraries Notre Dame University-Louaizé MELCOM International 27 th Conference May 23-25, 2005 Alexandria, Egypt
International companies (i.e., Symcor in Canada) sell such barcodes to libraries all over the world. Pricing is about $25/1000 barcodes if you have a 100,000 label. If the number decrease the price will increase to $40 In house barcodes by using commercial barcode printer and labels -like in supermarkets- are not recommended, unless you have a high quality barcodes similar to those mentioned above. Usually, in house ones cannot be read easily and they can be scratched very often.
Already applied in industry, this is beginning to be put into use in libraries for streamlining circulation procedures, inventory, collection development, and security.
The concept of RFID ( R adio F requency ID entification) can be simplified to that of an electronic barcode. First emerging in the 1980s, RFID was primarily used to track objects in industrial environments where barcodes were unable to sustain the harsh surroundings. Today in 2001, RFID is being used to authenticate official memorabilia, track proprietary assets, automate access control and, since the late 1990s, manage inventory and theft in libraries.
Quite often an antenna is distinguished as if it were a separate part of an RFID system. While its importance justifies the attention it must be seen as a feature that is present in both readers and tags, essential for the communication between the two.
dispensing goods, providing ski lift access, buying hamburgers, and the growing opportunity to track a wealth of assets in supply chain management. The attributes of RFID are complimentary to other data capture technologies and thus able to satisfy particular application requirements that cannot be adequately accommodate by alternative technologies.
NISO National Information Standards Information. Vendors have added proprietary modifications to the protocol SIP2.. Which makes interoperability between their products not good enough. . t Deficiency
Some researcher defined antenna as a separate component. However, they are part of the tag. Placement on discs : In respect to placing the RFID tag on a CD or a DVD, all vendors except 3M offer tags that can be placed directly on a disc. (Ward, 2004, p.24).
These components are available in various shapes and sizes to suit respective applications within the library, and are often integrated into one enclosure for that specific purpose (ie patron self check-out machines, inventory readers).
The units cost $3,500 to $6,000 each. RFID exit sensors at exits look much like those installed in libraries; however, the insides are different.
A conversion station, also known as a programmer, tagging station, or reader-writer, can be used to transfer the identification number to an RFID tag by keying or scanning a barcode.
Increasing complexity of circuit function, construction and memory capacity will influence cost of both transponders and reader/programmers. The manner in which the transponder is packaged to form a unit will also have a bearing on cost. Some applications where harsh environments may be expected, such as steel mills, mines, and car body paint shops, will require mechanically robust, chemical and temperature tolerant packaging. Such packaging will undoubtedly represent a significant proportion of the total transponder cost.
Accountability (taking responsibility for the outcomes of RFID) RFID and Libraries: Both Sides of the Chip Karen G. Schneider
If the patron card also has an RFID tag, the library also can determine who removed the items without properly charging them (checking them out). Few if any libraries have implemented this security feature. Facilitating self-check . Self-check own books, is much easier with RFID technology because the book does not have to be positioned or angled under a barcode scanner, but can be simply moved within range of an RFID reader. Self-check is inherently more private than requiring another human to handle and inspect the items you wish to check out of the library Advantages of RFID tracking systems Rapid charging and discharging The use of RFID reduces the amount of time required to perform circulation operations. The significant time savings occur because information can be read from RFID tags faster than from barcodes and because several items in a stack can be read at the same time. Although initially unreliable, the anti-collision algorithm that allows an entire stack to be charged of discharged now appears to be working well. Books that are not properly tagged or not the property of the library are ignored, however, rather than identified. Another time savings for circular staff occurs when the RFID tags replace both the EM security strips or RF tags of older theft detection systems and the barcodes of the automated library system. The system would be a comprehensive RFID system that combines RFID security and the tracking of materials throughout the library. Or it would be a hybrid system that uses EM for security and RFID for tracking but handles both simultaneously with a single piece of equipment. In either case, as much 50% increase in throughput can be realized. The time savings are less for charging than for discharging because the time required for charging usually is extended by social interaction with patrons. The best-known hybrid system is 3M's. It handles security using EM and tracking using RFID but has developed readers that can do both concurrently except for items that have magnetic properties (such as videotapes and audiotapes). The targets have to be desensitized and sensitized in a separate operation. Simplified patron self-charging For patrons using self-charging, RFID offers efficiency because patrons do not have to carefully place materials within a designated template. Patrons also can charge several items at the same time. Patron self-discharging shifts the work from staff to patrons. Staff is relieved further when RFID readers are installed in bookdrops.
High reliability The readers are highly reliable. Several vendors of RFID library systems claim an almost 100% detection rate using RFID tags. Anecdotal evidence suggests a 100% detection rate whenever a reader is within 12 to 14 inches of the tags. No statistical data supports these claims. A property tuned RFID system creates fewer false alarms than do older technologies. The libraries contracted that have experience with both EM and RFID security systems report a 50% to 75% reduction in false alarms. Some RFID systems have an interface between the exit sensors and the circulation system to identify the items moving out the library. Were a patron to run out of the library and not be intercepted, the library would at least know what had been stolen. If the patron card also has an RFID tag, the library also can determine who removed the items without properly charging them (checking them out). Few if any libraries have implemented this security feature. Other RFID systems encode the circulation status on the RFID tag. This encoding is done by designating a bit known as the theft bit and turning it off at time of charge and on at time of discharge. If the material that has not been properly charged is taken past the exit sensors, an alarm immediately sounds. Another option is to use both the theft bit and the online interface to an automated library system--the first to signal an alarm and the second to identify what has been taken. High-speed inventorying A unique advantage of RFID systems is their ability to scan books on the shelves without tipping out or removing the books. A librarian can rapidly move a hand-held inventory reader across a shelf of books to read all the unique identification information. Using wireless technology, the librarian can not only update the inventory but also identify items that are out of proper order. Automated materials handling RFID technology also performs automated materials handling, which includes conveyor and sorting systems that can move library materials and sort them by category into separate bins or onto separate carts. This application significantly reduces the amount of staff time required to prepare materials for reshelving. Given the high cost of the equipment, this application has not been widely used. About 35 systems were in use in North America as of mid-2003. Long tag life RFID tags last longer than barcodes because nothing comes into contact with them. Most RFID vendors claim a minimum of 100,000 transactions before a tag may need to be replaced.
EM = Electromagnetic
Todate. No commerce is using RFID
The vicious circle is that tag prices are expected to decrease when manufacturers secure high volume accounts facilitating mass production. But, high volume and mass tag production are difficult to achieve without widespread adoption of RFID systems, which is being hampered by price. So adoption is expected to be progressive over time, not dissimilar to the adoption of barcode which took some 25 years to be widely adopted. From: Integrating RFID into library systems – Myths and Realities Mr Alastair McArthur Chief Technology Officer TAGSYS France