RFID and the MetricRFID and the Metric
System: Lessons to beSystem: Lessons to be
Learned?Learned?
Lori Bowen AyreLori Bowen Ayre
Principal ConsultantPrincipal Consultant
The Galecia GroupThe Galecia Group
RFID in Libraries Conference, LondonRFID in Libraries Conference, London
November 15, 2012November 15, 2012

About MeAbout Me
Lori Bowen AyreLori Bowen Ayre
Former IT Director of Law FirmFormer IT Director of Law Firm
Technology ConsultantTechnology Consultant
LibrarianLibrarian
Automated Materials HandlingAutomated Materials Handling
RFIDRFID
Open Source LMS SoftwareOpen Source LMS Software
Local RootsLocal Roots

The “Galecia” GroupThe “Galecia” Group
Galecia lived in the 13th Century, during the reign of Henry III, inGalecia lived in the 13th Century, during the reign of Henry III, in
the ancient forest of Melksham, in Wiltshire.the ancient forest of Melksham, in Wiltshire.
She was married to Humphredi le Eyr.She was married to Humphredi le Eyr.
Galecia owned property which she handed down to her son,Galecia owned property which she handed down to her son,
Nicholas who carried on the name Eyr.Nicholas who carried on the name Eyr.
Over many, many years, the name was changed to Eyre andOver many, many years, the name was changed to Eyre and
finally Ayre.finally Ayre.
Many years later, The Galecia Group was founded.Many years later, The Galecia Group was founded.

What About You?What About You?
RFID installed already today?RFID installed already today?
Looking into converting existing system to UKDM?Looking into converting existing system to UKDM?
Thinking about ways to extend use of RFID?Thinking about ways to extend use of RFID?
Considering implementing RFID for first time?Considering implementing RFID for first time?
Will demand vendors provide UKDM system?Will demand vendors provide UKDM system?
Will demand vendors provide BLCF support?Will demand vendors provide BLCF support?

US Adopts ISO 28560-2!US Adopts ISO 28560-2!
Was hoping to come here and relish in our success butWas hoping to come here and relish in our success but
you seem to be over it…you seem to be over it…
no one here cares about data modelsno one here cares about data models
all your vendors have shared their data modelsall your vendors have shared their data models
Our “Our “standardstandard”” is easy to ignoreis easy to ignore
““RFID in Libraries: A recommended practice of NISO. PreparedRFID in Libraries: A recommended practice of NISO. Prepared
by the NISO RFID Revision Working Group”by the NISO RFID Revision Working Group”
NISO RP-6-2012NISO RP-6-2012

US vs UK RFID MarketsUS vs UK RFID Markets
Libraries still not 100% sure about RFID for librariesLibraries still not 100% sure about RFID for libraries
when the tags cost 5 cents I’ll jump inwhen the tags cost 5 cents I’ll jump in
ominous rumblings: privacy, tag replacementominous rumblings: privacy, tag replacement
is something better going to come along?is something better going to come along?
More focus on staff workflows than self-serviceMore focus on staff workflows than self-service
could be just me…could be just me…
automated check-in/sorting doesn’t require RFIDautomated check-in/sorting doesn’t require RFID
Lack of engagement on issueLack of engagement on issue
library staff not well-educated on issueslibrary staff not well-educated on issues
vendors not engaged in the same way eithervendors not engaged in the same way either

RFID PenetrationRFID Penetration
in US Libraries < 10%in US Libraries < 10%
o Small percentage of US libraries using RFID compared toSmall percentage of US libraries using RFID compared to
Europe and elsewhereEurope and elsewhere
o Reasons they choose RFIDReasons they choose RFID
o increaseincrease self-check-out useself-check-out use
o automated materials handling implementationautomated materials handling implementation
o handle more work with existing staffhandle more work with existing staff
o improve security for mediaimprove security for media
o Keep up with the Jones’Keep up with the Jones’
o RFID still seen as a super barcodeRFID still seen as a super barcode
o expensiveexpensive
o somewhat riskysomewhat risky

What I wish libraries wantedWhat I wish libraries wanted
RFID to help them doRFID to help them do
o optimize resource-sharing workflowsoptimize resource-sharing workflows
o untethered sortinguntethered sorting
o security of non-circulating material when offlinesecurity of non-circulating material when offline
o security throughout ILL life cyclesecurity throughout ILL life cycle
o encode ISBN to for smartphone appsencode ISBN to for smartphone apps
o use Set Info to reduce media handlinguse Set Info to reduce media handling
o analyze usage (e.g. track number of check-outs andanalyze usage (e.g. track number of check-outs and
last check-out, track in-library use)last check-out, track in-library use)

RFID Standards Compliance isRFID Standards Compliance is
Important for InteroperabilityImportant for Interoperability
Vendor interoperability – ability to buy tags and RFID-Vendor interoperability – ability to buy tags and RFID-
enabled equipment from any vendorenabled equipment from any vendor
Library interoperability – ability to read tags fromLibrary interoperability – ability to read tags from
other library systemsother library systems
LMS interoperability – ability to change to a new LMSLMS interoperability – ability to change to a new LMS
without fear that your RFID system will breakwithout fear that your RFID system will break

Beyond the Data ModelsBeyond the Data Models
Data Model not enoughData Model not enough
SIP2 and NCIP2 aren’t enoughSIP2 and NCIP2 aren’t enough
Work of BCLF to define what we need is excellentWork of BCLF to define what we need is excellent
What we need to exploit RFIDWhat we need to exploit RFID
What we need to do our jobsWhat we need to do our jobs
How can we get USA involved?How can we get USA involved?
How about via Open Source LMS movement?How about via Open Source LMS movement?

Open Source LMSsOpen Source LMSs
KohaKoha
Developed in 2000 in New ZealandDeveloped in 2000 in New Zealand
Designed originally for smaller librariesDesigned originally for smaller libraries
Now widely used worldwide by libraries of all sizes and typesNow widely used worldwide by libraries of all sizes and types
EvergreenEvergreen
Developed in 2006 in USADeveloped in 2006 in USA
Designed originally for consortiaDesigned originally for consortia
Now used by hundreds of libraries in USANow used by hundreds of libraries in USA

Open Source Libraries andOpen Source Libraries and
RFIDRFID
Both products, Koha and Evergreen, have librariesBoth products, Koha and Evergreen, have libraries
using RFID via SIP2using RFID via SIP2
RFID vendors (like everyone) have complete access toRFID vendors (like everyone) have complete access to
the system so they can write interfaces that gothe system so they can write interfaces that go
beyond SIP2 and NCIP2 (theoretically)beyond SIP2 and NCIP2 (theoretically)
The first BLCF API…any vendors volunteer to write it?The first BLCF API…any vendors volunteer to write it?

Grand Rapids Public Library’sGrand Rapids Public Library’s
Open Source RFID SystemOpen Source RFID System
Running Evergreen Open Source LMSRunning Evergreen Open Source LMS
Developed their own Open Source interface for their RFIDDeveloped their own Open Source interface for their RFID
systemsystem
Their RFID system is based on UHF RFID because theyTheir RFID system is based on UHF RFID because they
wanted to use “wanted to use “commoditycommodity”” hardwarehardware
This is Good News and Bad NewsThis is Good News and Bad News

What’s Good and BadWhat’s Good and Bad
About That?About That?
GoodGood
Demonstrates initiative on part of libraryDemonstrates initiative on part of library
Gives Evergreen users an free / cheap way to implementGives Evergreen users an free / cheap way to implement
RFIDRFID
BadBad
Doesn’t help non-Evergreen libraries at allDoesn’t help non-Evergreen libraries at all
UHF system is not interoperable with HFUHF system is not interoperable with HF
Not connected in any way to BLCFNot connected in any way to BLCF

Changes Resulting from OpenChanges Resulting from Open
Source LMS AdoptionSource LMS Adoption
• Software developers are getting hired by librariesSoftware developers are getting hired by libraries
• Librarians are writing development specs and learningLibrarians are writing development specs and learning
more about standards and protocols and howmore about standards and protocols and how
important they areimportant they are
• Libraries are beginning to take control of theirLibraries are beginning to take control of their
technology in new waytechnology in new way
• Libraries are collaborating with each other instead ofLibraries are collaborating with each other instead of
relying so much on “The Vendor”relying so much on “The Vendor”

RFID Challenges in U.S.RFID Challenges in U.S.
US libraries are moving to RFID but very few insist on ISOUS libraries are moving to RFID but very few insist on ISO
28560-228560-2
US libraries are not thinking expansively about how toUS libraries are not thinking expansively about how to
exploit RFID technologyexploit RFID technology
US libraries do not have a good record for “holding theirUS libraries do not have a good record for “holding their
vendor’s feet to the fire”vendor’s feet to the fire”
US libraries are unaware of BLCF (or even the thinkingUS libraries are unaware of BLCF (or even the thinking
behind BLCF)behind BLCF)

Opportunity for InternationalOpportunity for International
SynergySynergy
Let’s build on two important initiatives:Let’s build on two important initiatives:
1.1.Open source LMS -use these open source products to buildOpen source LMS -use these open source products to build
interfaces for LMS products that are open, put pressure oninterfaces for LMS products that are open, put pressure on
LMS vendors to build standard interfacesLMS vendors to build standard interfaces
2.2.BLCF – promote BLCF internationally to ensure consistencyBLCF – promote BLCF internationally to ensure consistency
and interoperability as we expand the uses of RFID using thoseand interoperability as we expand the uses of RFID using those
new interfacesnew interfaces
3.3.Lori, Alan and Mick - track developments related to BLCF andLori, Alan and Mick - track developments related to BLCF and
LMS support for BLCFLMS support for BLCF