Implementing RFID in Libraries for Automation – Experiences from ...

Implementing RFID in Libraries for Automation – Experiences from over 20 current installations

Bibliotheca RFID Library Systems AG Switzerland M. Nauer / C. Kern [email protected]

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Contents 1. Introduction 2. System 3. Reference Installations and Experiences 4. What is Important for the Architect?

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1. Introduction Conditions in the Library Market - Increasing number of loans - Different items, more AV media - Longer opening hours - Different user groups (younger people) - Limitations in building size (efficient use of the room) - Limitations in employing more staff The only possibility Æ Higher service level requires technical equipment! 3

1. Introduction Why RFID and not Barcode or EM? - Barcode is state of the art, but difficult to handle for users, single processing only - EM-strips (electro magnetic strips) only provide security, still require single processing - RFID opens a wide range of new applications, such as: Æ Efficient (easy) self service Æ Stack Processing at self service and at counter Æ Inventory Control Æ Automatic book return Æ Payment functions Important: Æ Non proprietary, relying on ISO Standard chips Æ “Light” system, easy to implement and to extend Æ Tagging of all media with same security level (incl. CD) 4

1. Introduction Bibliotheca RFID The Leading Provider for RFID Systems in Libraries by Development, Production, Installation and Maintenance of complete solutions Distribution World wide, emphasis today in Europe and North America (Bibliotheca Inc. in Philadelphia) Software-Basis Æ Development started 6 years ago with Infineon and Lucatron Æ Today’s “RFID reader/tag handling system” is the basis for success RFID-Basis Æ Experienced Engineers and RFID-Laboratory for own development, new products

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1. Introduction What makes an RFID-System attractive for a library? 1. Automisation and Self Service Repetitive work is done by self service stations such as Self Check out and Return, Payment, Access Control 2. Customer Service No more waiting lines, return of media at non-opening hours, better consultancy 3. Better Shelf Order Inventory is taken more frequently (can be done now) 4. Media Security Suitable for all materials (Books, CDs, Videos) 6

1. Introduction Economic Estimation Assumption: 1 min / 4 borrowings = 240 borrowing / hour and person at the counter with Barcode and De-Sensitizing 1 Self Check Station will at least process the same number of items (probably more through stack processing) Costs per year and person: ca. 40’000 EUR Costs per Self Check Station and Labels: ca. 75’000 EUR Amortisation in less than 3 years

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2. System View of the User

RFID in use

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2. System Hardware Components Necessary: • RFID Labels for Books Videos CDs, DVDs • Staff- and Conversion Station • Sensor Gate Reader • Self Check Station Additional: • Inventory Wand • Book Return Station • Access Control 9

2. System BiblioChip RFID Label – Inlay Antenna

Chip

Capacitor Substrate 10

2. System CD-Label Book Label

Book Labels

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2. System Sensor Gate Reader

(width 2 x 90 cm, according to wheel chair)

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2. System Self Check Station

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2. System Staff- and Conversion Station

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2. System Inventory Wand

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2. System Book Return Station

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2. System Book Return Station with Sorting

extendeable sorting-solutions

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2. System Book Return Station with Sorting

standard without sorting

inline single sorting

inline multiple sorting

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2. System Book Return Station with Sorting

customized sorting Reader-unit Reader-unit

extended inline sorting

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2. System User Cards

Signature Field

Barcode and visible number

Library Logo

Internal RFID chip and antenna with/without contact chip for payment function

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3. Reference Projects 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29.

Wien, Städtische Büchereien* Leuven, Katholieke Universiteit* Toronto, Richmond Hill Public Library Siegburg, Stadtbibliothek* Plauen, Stadtbibliothek* Bonn, Stiftung Cäsar* Bad Homburg, Stadtbibliothek* Kronberg, Stadtbibliothek* Stuttgart, Stadtbibliothek* Mittweida, Stadtbibliothek* Hilden, Stadtbibliothek* St. Augustin, Stadtbibliothek* Bergheim, Stadtbibliothek Dresden, Max Planck Institut* Krefeld, Fachhochschule Naharija, Public Library Heiloo, City Library* Winterthur, Stadtbibliothek* Winterthur Wülflingen, Stadtbibliothek* Winterthur, Tösser Haus* Zürich, Pestalozzi Bibliothek Aussersihl* Zürich, Pestalozzi Bibliothek Schwamendingen Rotkreuz, Schul- und Gemeindebibliothek* Frauenfeld, Kantonsschule* Baar, Gemeindebibliothek Opfikon, Gemeindebibliothek Long Island, Mastics Moriches Public Library* Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo College, Upjohn Library Pittsburgh, Northland Library

*Installation done

Austria Belgium Canada Germany Germany Germany Germany Germany Germany Germany Germany Germany Germany Germany Germany Israel Netherlands Switzerland Switzerland Switzerland Switzerland Switzerland Switzerland Switzerland Switzerland Switzerland United States of America United States of America United States of America

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3. Reference Projects Building of the Public Library in Vienna (Austria)

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3. Reference Projects Building of the Public Library in Vienna (Austria)

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3. Reference Projects Building of the Public Library in Vienna (Austria)

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3. Reference Projects Interior in Vienna

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3. Reference Projects Array of Sensor Gates in Vienna

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3. Reference Projects Self Check Stations in Vienna

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3. Reference Projects Building of the University Library in Leuven (Belgium)

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3. Reference Projects Sensor Gate combined with turn style at the University Library Leuven

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3. Reference Projects Self Check Station at the University Library in Leuven

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3. Reference Projects Building of the Public Library in Winterthur (Switzerland)

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3. Reference Projects Access Control in Winterthur

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3. Reference Projects Book Return Station in Winterthur

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3. Reference Projects Sensor Gates in Winterthur

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3. Reference Projects Self Check Stations in Winterthur

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3. Reference Projects Encased Sensor Gates in Bonn, Stiftung Cäsar

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3. Reference Projects Self Check Stations in Stuttgart, Stadtbibliothek

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4. What is Important for the Architect? Room Planning – Centralized Functions

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4. What is Important for the Architect? Room Planning – De-central Functions

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4. What is Important for the Architect? Changes for the Staff and the User • Service: Presence “between the shelves”, direct consultancy (expression “floor walking” in UK) • Higher Flexibility: not determined by visitor peak hours as before (e.g. re-shelving can be done) • Different Users: more teenagers in the library. They need closer attention • Opening Hours: Can be extended with less staff

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4. What is Important for the Architect? Library Management System (LMS)* Presently major LMS providers have implemented Bibliotheca • SISIS, BOND, Dynix, Exlibris, Predata, BiblioMondo, Innovative Interfaces (III), Sirsi • To come soon: BiBer, Geac, Talis For the implementation of a new LMS a test of the SIP2 interface and the integration of the BiblioChip API is necessary.

*Informative for the architect, but very important for the library planning

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4. What is Important for the Architect? The implementation time* - It is determined by the number of items in the library. - To tag an item is typically the same time like for attaching a barcode label plus 3 seconds for programming. - The KU Leuven achieved about 1500 items per day with 5 students. The work was finished in 3 months for 100.000 books.

*Informative for the architect, but very important for the library planning 42

4. What is Important for the Architect? The Interior Positioning of the Desk Positioning of the Self Check Stations Positioning of the Gates Positioning of the Book Return Station Special points to look at Æ Person flow Æ Cabling Æ Metal environment Æ Security – counter close to gate, gate not close to exit Æ Possible help at self check station Æ Accessibility for book return at non-opening hours 43

4. What is Important for the Architect? Project Management with Bibliotheca A software platform called ERoom is used to • Collect all necessary information for the project participants (librarian, architect, construction leader, electricity, Bibliotheca) • All information is available from every PC • Timing/ Scheduling

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4. What is Important for the Architect? How are existing security systems handled, e. g. Electro Magnetic (EM) strips? •In general EM strops can be used in parallel as long as the tagging of the items with RFID takes place. •They are checked out in the traditional way with the barcode reader and the de-sensitising of the strip. When all items are tagged, RFID can be used at the counter and self check stations. •EM strips can remain in the books. CDs with directly attached EM strips cannot be re-tagged directly, we recommend to put an RFID label into the CD cover.

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4. What is Important for the Architect? Example for Floor Planning at Kalamazoo College

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4. What is Important for the Architect? Example Kalamazoo Sensor Gate Array

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4. What is Important for the Architect?

• An article describing the requirements for the implementation of RFID in library buildings is published soon. Please ask for it at [email protected]

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