Introduction to RFID technology in libraries including survey of current RFID-enabled products available review of standards and protocols pertinent to RFID. Also includes consortia, procurement, and other issues related to RFID in libraries.

1. RFID: What is it? Where is it going?
Is it right for your library?
Lori Bowen Ayre
June 26, 2013
New Berlin Public Library
Lori.Ayre@galecia.com

2. Every story about RFID begins with….

3. Working Agenda • Tags and Equipment
• Library Protocols
• Library RFID Standards
• US Data Model
• RFID Concerns
• Cost Benefit and ROI
• Other Considerations

4. RFID TAGS AND EQUIIPMENT

5. Two Primary Components
1. RFID Tag
– aka “transponder”
– composed of
• substrate
• chip
• antenna
2. RFID Reader
– aka “interrogator”
– Built into
• security gates
• staff workstation pads
• handheld readers
• self-checks
• sorters
• etc

6. RFID Tag
… and a chip
attached to it
… on a substrate
e.g. a plastic
foil ...
an antenna,
printed, etched
or stamped ...
A paper label
with RFID inside

7. How Radio Frequency Identification
Works

8. Types of Tags
RFID Tags Low Frequency (LF) High Frequency (HF) Ultra High Frequency (UHF)
Frequency 125 kHz 13.56MHz 400 MHz to 1GHz
Operating Distance 30 cm to 1 meter 10 cm to 1 meter Passive: up to 25 meters
Active: up to 100 meters
Characteristics Short read range and read
range is easier to control.
Handle metal and water better
than UHF. Can be affected by
industrial noise. Slower data
transfer rate. Cannot always
communicate with multiple
tags.
Short read range (especially NFC
tags). Read range is easier to
control than UHF. Not as effective
as LF in presence of metal and
water but better than UHF.
Unaffected by industrial noise. Can
communicate with multiple tags
simultaneously.
Long read range. Fast
reading of multiple tags.
Less tag memory than HF.
Poor performance around
liquids and metals. Operate
in a crowded frequency.
Applications Library materials management and
security, access control, banking
cards, contactless payment
systems, goods control, security.
Asset tracking, supply chain,
logistics, tool booths, real-
time locating systems,
container security, library
material management and
security (limited)

9. Libraries use Passive HF Tags
• Passive
– Unpowered
– Rely on the reader to generate power to transmit
data on tag
• HF
– High Frequency (13.56 MHz)
– Current standard applies only to HF tags

10. Types of Library RFID Tags
Form Factor/Name Used for
Square Tags Books, Media Cases,
Periodicals, Kits
Multiple manufacturers
Credit Card Tags /
3M ISO RFID Tag
Books, Media Cases,
Periodicals, Kits
Multiple manufacturers
3M has their own version
with modified antenna
Donut/Hub Tags CDs, DVDs, BluRay Multiple manufacturers
Full Coverage
Media / Stingray
CDs, DVDs, BluRay SMARTRAC Stingray
FCI Smartag X-Range
SmartLabel 500 Laptops, iPads, eReaders, etc Bibliotheca

11. RFID-Enabled Library Equipment
• Staff Stations
• Security Gates
• Self Check-outs
• Portable Wands and Handhelds
• Sorters
• Self Check-ins
• Smart Shelves
• Lockers, Dispensers, Kiosks
• Bulk Readers

12. Sampling of Costs
• Standard book tag: $ .16
• Stingray CD/DVD tag: $ .65
• Security Gates (single aisle): $7000
• Self check-out: $7000
• Add fines and fees: $2500
• Self check-in with sorter (3-7 bin): $50-$90K
• Handhelds: $5k-$10K
• Staff workstation: $1000

13. Converting Self-Check Out Machines
• Most self-check
machines can be
easily converted to
RFID
• Just a matter of
adding an RFID pad
to existing system
• 3M’s V-Series might
need a wedgie

14. New RFID Self-Checks Come in Variety
of Styles and Colors
D-Tech: above
Nedaplibrix: red
MK Sorting: right

15. Bibliotheca
• Smartserve
400/410
• Optional fines/fees
and cash payment
(on right)
• Items placed in
pocket for reading

16. Bibliotheca
• Bibliotheca Smartserve
600 (right) with height
adjustable counter.
• Smartserve 200 (below)
desktop model

17. Tech-Logic

18. 3M

19. Media Management
• 3M Integrated Disk Media Unlocker integrated
with 3M self check-out machines (left)
• LATCorp – disc dispensers for staff (lower left)
• Smartcases and Smartdispenser 200 by
Bibliotheca (below)

20. Sorters
• Vendors are: Tech-
Logic, 3M, Lyngsoe, Bibliotheca, Envisionware, M
K Sorting, PV Supa
• Differences between products
– Induction method
– Mechanics of conveyor and sorter
– Patron interface
– Size of modules
– Flexibility in configuration
– Curb appeal

21. TechLogic Sorter
• Only system that isn’t “one
at a time” induction
o “Deshingler” allows it to
act more like traditional
bookdrop
o Requires several extra
feet of conveyor run to
make deshingle
o no confirmation of
check-in and no receipt
• Only system that offers “loader/unloader”
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=cSnQBsr
Oxmw)
• Can rough sort to book cart
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=4WFor
Mh0jI4)

22. Tech-Logic Sorter (2003)

23. 3M Sorters
• Items pushed
off conveyor
with brush
• Limited
configurations
• Bulky

24. 3M Sorters
• SL Model (3-bin): entry level , limited
configuration options, inexpensive
• FX Model (7-bin): more options (up to 15 bins)

25. Bibliotheca/ITG Sorters
• First Generation
• Industrial
• Issue with media
due to metal and
antennas
• Bibliotheca
phasing them out

26. Current Bibliotheca Sorters
• Flexible
configurations
• Lots of options
• Good curb
appeal

27. Envisionware/P.V. Supa Sorters

28. Lyngsoe
• The largest libraries in the country use Lyngose for their central sorters
– NY Public (120 bin)
– King County Library System (150 bin)
• They also have very small and affordable sorters (3 bins)
• Best for flexibility and curb appeal

29. Lyngsoe Sorters
• 11-bin library sorter with
self check-in and one staff
induction
• 26-bin branch delivery
sorter

30. Self Check-in – Patron Interface to
Sorter
• RFID makes self
check-in easier for
patrons but it isn’t
required

31. Handhelds
• PDA style
handhelds can
do check-in and
check-out
• Wand style are
for shelf-
checking and
inventory
• None are
great….yet

32. Other RFID Products
• Bibliotheca SmartStock 500 to
batch receive/check-in
• Bibliotheca SmartShelves for real-
time tracking of items
• Intelligent Trolley – items get
placed on shelf and are
automatically checked in (Demco)
• Lyngsoe Library and Reservation
Garage (RFID or Barcode)

33. Staff Workstation
• Composed of two components
– RFID pad (antenna)
– RFID reader
– Software
• Software options not ideal
1. RFID readers can be made to look like barcode
scanners (to ILS) – which means security isn’t
handled automatically
2. RFID vendor develops proprietary solution with
each ILS

34. Example of Two Options:
3M Staff Workstation
Model 896: Enhanced Pad Staff
Workstation (Option 1)
• “Integrates with many ILS
vendors including Polaris
and, coming soon, SirsiDynix.
Please contact your consultant
for the latest integrations.
• Compatible with Innovative
Interfaces Incorporated’s
Millennium Item Status API”
• Provides additional functionality
(over wedge) with most ILSs
• Proprietary – need 3M system
to use it
Model 895: Pad Staff
Workstation (Option 2)
• “Synchronized keyboard hot
key feature allows
simultaneous mode selection
(check-in or checkout) for the
ILS and workstation (only
needed with Model 895)
• Uses a unique software wedge
to allow compatibility with
most ILS/LMS (only needed
with Model 895)”
• Fast, limited

35. ILS Issue: Millennium Item Status API
“Are there other Innovative libraries using the 3M Enhanced Pad Staff Workstation Model 896 with
Innovative Item Status API? With the older 895 3M RFID pads, we were able to use the pads pretty
much like barcode scanners, so we could use the RFID pads to enter barcodes for searching in MilCat,
MilAcq, or anywhere else it was appropriate to enter a barcode. With the 896 pads and
Item Status API, we are able to get Innovative to accept the barcode
from the RFID pad only in checkin and checkout. Is that your
experience also? - Susan”
“We discovered the same thing you report, below, when we deployed the Item
Status API with Tagsys tag pads from ITG. One of our greatest frustrations was having to scan the
barcode on items in Search Holds mode. I don't think the issue is with the RFID
vendor, it is a limitation on the modes that Innovative has enabled
use of the Item Status API. We are able to use the tag pad readers with other modules
(serials, and other Circ modes) in places that we use ITG's software interfaces (Apex tagging software
and Circ control for checkin/out). -Leo “

36. Where to go next…
QUESTIONS?
Tags and Equipment
Library Protocols
Library RFID Standards
US Data Model
RFID Concerns
Cost Benefit and ROI
Other Considerations

37. LIBRARY PROTOCOLS

38. SIP2
• Protocol developed by 3M but available for
use by everyone (non-proprietary)
• Used to communicate with self checks,
sorters, security gates, kiosks, dispensers, PC
management systems, ebooks
• Handles user authentication and most
circulation transactions
• SIP3 recently released and “donated” to NISO
to manage. Still limited to circulation.

39. NCIP and NCIP2
• NISO standard developed to address ILS
communication beyond circulation
• Most often with resource-sharing systems, but
also some self-check, sorters, and ebooks
• Very extensible via system of “application
profiles” using shared schema
• Needs more active involvement of libraries, RFID
vendors AND ILS vendors
• Having standards saves libraries a LOT of money!

40. LCF
• Library Communication Framework (LCF)
developed in the UK in response to lack of
established protocols for RFID technology
• Framework helps define the necessary data
elements and transactions that need to be
supported by the ILS so that RFID technology can
be leveraged
• Vendors developing RFID products using LCF
create opportunities for others to adopt the same
approach (e.g. evolve standards) so that multiple
proprietary solutions don’t evolve instead

41. Bibliotheca and SirsiDynix
• Recently announced strategic partnership
• Planning to develop enhanced RFID integration
• May lead to new products that only SirsiDynix
supports (at first)
• Bibliotheca has said all their development
globally will use LCF – meaning it will NOT be
proprietary
• This means other ILSs and RFID vendors could
follow suit
• We’ll see….

42. Where to go next…
QUESTIONS?
Tags and Equipment
Library Protocols
Library RFID Standards
US Data Model
RFID Concerns
Cost Benefit and ROI
Other Considerations

43. LIBRARY RFID STANDARDS

44. Current Standard
• Current key standard for libraries: ISO 28560
• Three part standard
– Part 1: Defines data elements
– Part 2: Provides one encoding method option
– Part 3: Provides another encoding option
• NISO Recommendation for US Libraries is ISO
28560 Part 2 (aka 28560-2)

45. Evolution of Standards
• Air communication standards came first
– Defines how the tags and readers send
information back and forth
– Collision avoidance algorithms
• Examples:
– HF Tags: ISO 15693 and ISO 18000-3 (item level)
– UHF Tags: EPC Gen2 (international supply chain)

46. Library and Worldwide RFID Activities
Year Libraries
Worldwide
using RFID
U.S. Library Activities RFID Activities Worldwide
2003 100 RFID Technology for Libraries (Library
Technology Reports, Nov-Dec 2003)
published
ISO 15693 adopted
Walmart and Dept of Defense request suppliers include RFID tags
on pallets.
2004 >300 BISC Policy Statement on RFID ISO 18000-3, Mode 1 adopted
FDA endorses use of RFID to combat drug counterfeiting.
2005 ALA IFC Privacy and Confidentiality
Guidelines
ISO 15692 Fixed Encoding Method (not library specific) adopted
Gartner reports worldwide RFID spending expected to reach
$504 million in 2005, $3 billion by 2010.
2006 Danish Data Model (DS/INF 163) for
Libraries finalized.
EPC Gen2 standard finalized for UHF tags
2007 600 Defense Dept. stops requiring RFID tags on trucks and cargo;
using GPS and fleet management software instead.
2008 NISO RFID Working Group: Recommended
Practice
Gartner predicts worldwide RFID revenue to reach $1.2 billion in
2008; $3.5 billion by 2012.
2009 1500 Worldwide RFID spending hits $5.56 billion
2011 2400 ISO 28560 RFID for Libraries adopted.
NISO tentatively recommends 28560-2 as
U.S. Data Profile
IDTechEx predicts value of entire RFID market will be $5.84 billion
in 2010.
2012 >3000 U.S. Data Profile finalized IDTechEx report predicts 20 billion RFID tags annually will be
required by apparel market alone within decade.

47. The Flow
of
Standards

48. Where to go next…
QUESTIONS?
Tags and Equipment
Library Protocols
Library RFID Standards
US Data Model
RFID Concerns
Cost Benefit and ROI
Other Considerations

49. U.S. DATA MODEL

50. Mandatory (ish) Data Elements
Field Purpose/Codes Locking
Primary Item ID Item identification Optional
Tag Content Key Determining what other data is on the tag No
Owner Library Use ISIL Code (see ISO 15511) Optional
• Primary Object ID
– Library barcode, used book stores SKU (?)
• Tag Content Key
– Index to fields on the tag
• Owner Library (recommended)
– Mandatory in UK; Recommended in U.S.
– Inclusion of this field provides for a nationally unique identifier
for each library item (good for ILL applications)

51. Optional Data Elements
Field Purpose/Codes Locking
Set Info Item properties Optional
Type of Usage Coded list of type of item usage Optional
Shelf Location Call number (inventory) Optional
ONIX Media Format Item properties (ONIX code list) Optional
Supplier Identifier Acquisitions processing Not recommended
Order Number Acquisitions processing Not recommended
ILL Borrowing Institution Use ISIL Code (see ISO 15511) No
ILL Borrowing Transaction ID ILL transaction tracking No
GS1-13 (UCC and ISBN) Identification Optional
Alternative unique item identifier Identification Not recommended
Local Data – A For local or regional use Optional
Local Data – B For local or regional use Optional
Title Identification Optional
Product Identifier (local) Identification Optional
Media Format Item properties (no code list defined) Optional
Supply Chain Stage For multi-use (coded list) No
Alternative Item Identifier Item identification Optional
Alternative Owner Library Identifier Item identification (for codes not ISIL compliant) Optional
Subsidiary of Owner Library Item Identification Optional
Alternative ILL Borrowing Institution Support for ILL for non-ISIL code No
Local Data – C For local or regional use Optional

52. About Locking Fields
• Benefit of Part 2 over Part 3 is that individual
elements can be locked
• Locking fields might be necessary to protect
against vandalism (more later)
• Must balance security issues against long term
use of tag beyond supply chain

53. Noteworthy Optional Elements
• Set Info
• Type of Usage
• Title
• UCC/ISBN/ISSN
• Shelf Location
• Fields supporting Receiving Processing
• Fields supporting ILL Processing

54. Set Info
• Field includes total number of items in set and
part number of item
• Especially useful for single disc media “sets”
– case is one part and disc is another
– when both parts are present, no visual inspection
needed
• Limited usefulness for bigger sets because
overlapping tags interfere with one another

55. Type of Usage
• So far….used to control use of material during
offline circulation, e.g.
– prevent kids from checking out R-Rated movies
– prevent reference material from being checked
out
• Possible other uses
– support floating collections
– manage special collections or non-book uses (e.g.
laptops, kits, other items borrowed inside library)

56. Title
• Libraries don’t use this field (but they could)
because of privacy concerns
• Convenience may someday trump those
privacy concerns (e.g. groovy smartphone app
that displays book covers of all the titles of
books on a shelf?)
• Maybe be useful during receiving processing
to verify contents of order but could then be
blanked out during circulation

57. UCC/ISBN/ISSN
• Another one to blank out during circulation
but could possibly be useful for future
developments, e.g.
– Pull up reviews from Amazon by reading book’s
RFID tag while standing in library
– Have a “reader’s advisory kiosk” where patrons
could hold up a book they like and get
recommendations for similar titles

58. Shelf Location
• Expected use is to support inventory
• Expected content is an LC or Dewey number
• Other possible uses:
– Indicate a temporary location (Lucky Day)
– Provide additional granularity in sorting
– Use the tag to tell the ILS when an item has been
moved

59. Fields Supporting Receiving Processing
• Supplier Identifier – keep track of who
supplies what making it easier to order
additional copies
• Order Number – read order number from
items during receiving to verify all items are
accounted for (without opening box)
• Shelf location could be used to keep track of
where items are as they are moving through
receiving, cataloging, processing, etc.

60. Fields Supporting ILL Processing
• ILL Borrowing Institution
– Sort materials pulled to fill an ILL request to ILL
shipping area
– Use in consortial borrowing arrangements to sort
directly to tote (without needing an ILS connection)
• ILL Transaction ID
– Could be used to pull up all pertinent record on an ILL
transaction from the resource-sharing software and
eliminate need for so much paperwork

61. Local Data Fields
The World is Your Oyster!
• Local Data – A
• Local Data – B
• Local Data – C
These fields can be used in whatever way a
library, consortium, or state desires.

62. Decision Points for Upgrading Current
RFID System to US Standard

63. Where to go next…
QUESTIONS?
Tags and Equipment
Library Protocols
Library RFID Standards
US Data Model
RFID Concerns
Cost Benefit and ROI
Other Considerations

64. CONCERNS WITH RFID
Privacy
Health
Ubiquitous Computing

65. Privacy
• Hot listing: build a database of bar code
numbers of interest and see who’s carrying
those books
• Tracking: keep track of someone based on
multiple reads of a book they are carrying

66. RFID in Libraries Privacy and Confidentiality
Guidelines (ALA IFC, 2005)
• Notify users of about the library’s use of RFID
technology
• Label all RFID tag readers clearly so users know they
are in use
• Protect the data on RFID tags by using encryption if
available
• Limit the information stored on the RFID tag to a
unique identifier or barcode
• Block the public from searching the catalog by the
unique identifier
• Store no personally identifiable information on any
RFID tag

67. RFID in Libraries Privacy and Confidentiality
Guidelines (ALA IFC, 2005)
• Notify users of about the library’s use of RFID
technology
• Label all RFID tag readers clearly so users know they
are in use
• Protect the data on RFID tags by using encryption if
available NOT CURRENTLY AVAILABLE
• Limit the information stored on the RFID tag to a
unique identifier or barcode
• Block the public from searching the catalog by the
unique identifier
• Store no personally identifiable information on any
RFID tag

68. RFID in Libraries Privacy and Confidentiality
Guidelines (ALA IFC, 2005)
• Notify users of about the library’s use of RFID
technology
• Label all RFID tag readers clearly so users know they
are in use
• Protect the data on RFID tags by using encryption if
available NOT CURRENTLY AVAILABLE
• Limit the information stored on the RFID tag to a
unique identifier or barcode
• Block the public from searching the catalog by the
unique identifier
• Store no personally identifiable information on any
RFID tag
Bad Idea

69. STORE NO PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE
INFORMATION ON ANY RFID TAG
At least they offered up one good idea…

70. Health
• Electromagnetic radiation (EMR)
• Interfering with medical devices
– Pacemakers
– Hearing aids
– Cochlear Implants

71. San Francisco Public Library 2005
Report
“… currently available research and studies on
radio frequency exposure to devices in the
frequency range at which an RFID system for
libraries operates do not suggest any health risks
from radiofrequency (RF) exposures below
guideline levels.”

72. UK Data Protection and Privacy Regulation
Legislation working through the system that will require
libraries (and anyone else using RFID) to
– Conduct a Privacy Impact
Assessment (PIA)
– Notify the public of their
use of RFID
– Provide signage that
summarizes outcome of
the Privacy Impact
Assessment

73. Medical Devices
• No known issues with pacemakers or hearing aids
• Issues with cochlear implants:
“There is no risk of damage to the implant or
equipment from these detectors but some users
prefer to switch off their speech processor because
they may hear a sound as they pass through.
Occasionally the security system may be activated
by the implant so so it is a good idea to have the ID
card to hand.”
- Source: British Cochlear Implant Group (2012)

74. Electromagnetic Radiation

75. We Don’t Really Know
“We are very slowly beginning to undergo a paradigm
shift in Western Medical Thinking from a chemical-
mechanistic model of the human body to a more finely
tuned electrical-system model.”
B. Blake Levitt
Electromagnetic Fields: A
consumers guide to he issues
and how to protect ourselves

76. Ubiquitous Computing
• “Machines that fit the human environment
instead of forcing humans to enter theirs”
• Small, inexpensive, robust, networked devices
distributed throughout everyday life
• How its happening: mobile phones, GPS,
RFID, databases, smart dust, sensors

77. Where to go next…
QUESTIONS?
Tags and Equipment
Library Protocols
Library RFID Standards
US Data Model
RFID Concerns
Cost Benefit and ROI
Other Considerations

78. COST-BENEFIT AND ROI

79. Benefits and ROI
• All libraries report being better able to manage
more work with the same number of people
• Lots of potential benefits
• RFID rarely
implemented without
making bigger
commitment to self-
service
– self check-out
– self check-in and sorter
(AMH)
– central sorters

80. Potential Benefits
• Higher self-check rates
– easier to self check out and
self check in
– smart shelves that check in
items and trigger holds
– smart bookdrops
• Better A-V handling
– don’t need to visually inspect
cases with one disc
• Recover lost material
– find mis-shelved, hidden
items
• More accurate catalog
– Easy to look for anything
other than “available for
checkout”
• Pull holds faster
– look for items on pull list
• Inventory more likely
– inventory can be done in a
fraction of the time it would
take using barcodes
• Ergonomic benefits for
staff
– check in 3-4 items at a time
– slide items over reader
– no handling of barcode
scanner

82. What to Count?
• Number of scans
• FTE
• Throughput
• Turnaround time
• Injuries
• Self-Check Percentage
• Number “claims returned”
• Catalog accuracy
• Found items
 Materials handing Staff Per Shift

83. Pay Back Periods That Have Been
Reported
• One library reported each
sorter saved one FTE, and
RFID implementation saved
another FTE
• Another library reported
payback was 2-3 years
• Vendors have predicted payback in less than a year
(with AMH)

84. Keys to Leveraging Benefits of RFID…
• Decide on a service model
– 70% self-check is very different from 99% self-check
– Decide where and how staff will interact with patrons
• Remodel spaces to support service model
• Make sure you have staff support
– They must believe that RFID and self-service as a benefit for staff
AND patrons
– Patrons will need support and training during transition
• Support new workflows with appropriate furniture and
signage
• Make it fun and exciting!
– Work with the kids
– Keep sorters visible (think about that curb appeal)

85. Where to go next…
QUESTIONS?
Tags and Equipment
Library Protocols
Library RFID Standards
US Data Model
RFID Concerns
Cost Benefit and ROI
Other Considerations

86. OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

87. Procurement Issues
• Insist on ISO 28560-2 compliance
• Demo the system with a live connection to your ILS
• Don’t mix in an AMH procurement with your RFID
procurement
– one procurement for RFID tags, security gates, and staff
workstations
– one for self-checks, automated check-ins and sorters
• Start procurement process at least a year before you
want to go live (if not 2 or more)
• If you are thinking about changing your ILS, do that first
(and include RFID considerations in THAT procurement)
– e.g. costs for SIP interfaces and APIs
• If you are in a consortium, coordinate with them

88. RFID and Consortia
• Could use ILL fields to support sorting of items being shared
• Be sure everyone is using correct AFI codes so that items
can be secured and unsecured during resource-sharing
• Media handling must be coordinated so that media can be
secured and unsecured during resource-sharing (and so that
labor-intensive workarounds aren’t required)
• Password protection of certain fields a possibility with
certain tags (outside of standard) but this needs to be
coordinated with resource-sharing partners
• Not necessary for everyone in a consortium to
use the exact same elements (e.g. “data
profile) as long as everyone follows ISO 28560-
2 standard

89. Complicating Issues
1. NFC technology on phones creating security
concerns
2. UHF RFID technology emerging as contender.
Is it a better fit than HF?

90. Near Field Communition (NFC) is an HF
RFID Technology
• Same underlying technology as library RFID
tags
• Smartphones with NFC reader: Google
Nexus, Motorola Droid Razr, HTC
Droid, LG, Samsung Galaxy and many more
• iPhone 5 may have it
• Primary use is for making payments

91. Potential Threat for Libraries with
NFC-enabled Smartphones
• An app exists that works with
Android smartphones that can
read, write and lock key areas
of a ISO 15693 tag
• Demonstrates a potential threat
for libraries
• NFC-enabled smart phones
could render RFID based
security systems ineffective and
data on tags could be modified
or corrupted
• None of the “remediations”
are desirable
– Password protection
– Using EAS instead of AFI for
security
– Going back to database look-
up
• Libraries will have to
balance (again) value of
interoperability against
costs of a solution and the
likelihood of the threat

92. Complicating Issue #2: HF vs UHF
• All but two libraries in the US use HF RFID tags
• US Standard is based on HF, UHF more broadly used in
Asia and Australia.
• UHF (as a technology) has been focus of most
development in recent years

93. What if we switched to UHF instead of
HF?
• All the libraries currently using HF would have to
replace/upgrade all of their equipment and tags
(eventually)
• Would create opportunities for new, better
products: inventory, detection, acquisitions –
anything that requires bulk reading of tags
• Would create challenges for security,
identification, circulation – anything that requires
item-level reading of tags
• Might help with the NFC issue (since NFC is an HF
technology)

94. Maybe, if libraries used UHF tags……

95. What if libraries used either HF or
UHF?
• If we end up with some libraries using HF and
some using UHF but all on the same data
model….
– Would make software development easier (same data
elements)
– Would require two readers (UHF and HF) to be
interoperable
• If we end up without a consistent data
model….all hopes for interoperability at any level
is lost

96. What’s the Future Holds for Library
RFID?
• Libraries stay on HF and move to ISO 28560-2
– True vendor interoperability
– Opportunities to expand the ways libraries use RFID
go beyond basic circulation and security
– ILS vendors start providing modules that use RFID
• Libraries end up using both HF and UHF tags
– Vendor lock-in returns as a problem
– Development stalls
• UHF emerges as preferred library tag
– All of the above

97. So What’s a Library Considering RFID
to Do?
• Make sure you know what you want to accomplish with
RFID – what problem are you trying to solve? This will drive
your choices going forward
• Work with a well-established vendor for tags and
equipment
• Buy ISO 28560-2 compliant tags that support password
protection (just in case)
• Make sure the ILS/RFID staff interface is acceptable and you
know all the costs on ILS side
• Don’t lock or password protect any data on the tags (keep
your options open for now)
• Push your vendors to participate in NCIP Standing
Committee and develop true RFID solutions

98. Contact me anytime!
Lori Bowen Ayre
lori.ayre@galecia.com
(707) 763-6869
More resources on my website:
www.galecia.com
Copyright © 2013 by Lori Bowen Ayre. This work is made available under the terms of
the Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike – NonCommercial – Attribution
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/deed.en_US