RFID:
Where we are.
Where we’re going?
Mick Fortune
Library RFID Ltd.

Overview
• 2010 – a watershed moment
• A (very) quick review of the technology
• Main library uses
• RFID ≠ Self-service
• Removing barriers to progress

2010 – a watershed moment
• New standards being created/published
• Greater consensus among stakeholders
• A new spirit of co-operation

A (very) quick review of the
technology

RFID - the basics
• A technology, not an application
• A chip attached to an aerial activated by a
scanner.
– Data on the chip can be stored, edited and
over-written
• Contactless – uses radio
• Operates at different frequencies/ranges

Typical UK library implementation
• Tags – on stock (different types for different media)
– Three elements
• Chip – stores the data
• Aerial – allows transmission
• Form factor – usually a sticky label
• Antenna/Reader
• Application
– Provides local functionality (screen displays etc.)
– Handles messaging between it (usually via SIP) and the
Library Management System – which executes rules.

Main Library Uses*
• Self-service %
– Issue and Return 100
– Automated returns sorting 25
– Renewals 76
– Borrower account review 39.3
– Fees and fines payment 21.4
• Stock Management
– Tracing operations (missing, lost, reserved) 35.7
– Inventory 39.3
– “Smart” shelving 3.6
• Borrower Administration
– Smart cards 10.7
* Survey carried out among subscribers to LIB-RFID February 2009
Results available from www.libraryrfid.co.uk.

RFID ≠ Self-Service
• Self Service:
– Main reason given for implementation (84%)
– Issue and return automated by 100% of RFID
users.
• But
– It’s not just a barcode replacement
– It changes the way your stock “works”
– It can be (and is) used to store dynamic data -
and that may be problematic…

Problematic?
Because
• Each RFID supplier stores data differently
• Each library may be storing different elements
(although they may unaware that they are!)
• LMS providers may enhance functionality by using
tags in proprietary solutions
• Some RFID suppliers may encrypt data.
So,
• If you buy RFID hardware from another supplier it
may not work with your tags.
• If you change your LMS or RFID supplier things may
stop working.

Removing barriers to progress

Standards can help
• But there are so many to choose from…
• Communications
– ISO 18000-3
– ISO 15693
• Frequencies
– UHF
– HF (13.56Mhz)
• Data

Data Standards
• ISO 28560
– 28560-2, the common data model for the UK
– To be published Q4 2009
– Defines 25 data elements for use in the library
supply chain as a whole
• UK National Profile
– Defines subset to be used for library operations
– Voluntary agreement

UK National Profile
• Mandatory elements:
– Primary item identifier (normally an existing barcode number.)
– Content parameter
in effect a list of data elements present on the tag.
– Owner library (ISIL)
• Conditional:
– Set information (multiple items)
• Optional:
– Type of usage – Local data A
– Shelf location – Local data B
– ONIX media format – Local data C
– Supplier identifier – Title
– ILL borrowing institution (ISIL) – Supply chain stage
– Alternative item identifier
– Subsidiary of an owner library

Deployment
• New users should be encouraged to specify
ISO 28560-2 and the UK National Profile
• Existing users will have to determine,
– Whether they have a migration path
– If they want to take it
• Do the research – don’t buy Betamax!

Beyond SIP
• SIP no longer adequate
• Series of workshops proposed by BIC will,
– Examine existing tag data usage in RFID
installations
– Identify requirements to incorporate these
within a standards-based framework
– Review alternatives to SIP (and NCIP) for
LMS/RFID communications

New services - new technologies?
• Better offline circulation
• Interactive shelving/displays
• Talking books
• Improvements in security
• …and who knows what else?

Thank You!
Mick Fortune
Library RFID Ltd.
mick@libraryrfid.co.uk
+44 (0)1865 727411
www.libraryrfid.co.uk