Post on 23-Dec-2015
RFID IN THE LIBRARY CONTEXT: INTEGRATION, INTEROPERABILITY, AND BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT
Marshall BreedingDirector for Innovative Technology and ResearchVanderbilt University LibraryFounder and Publisher, Library Technology Guideshttp://www.librarytechnology.org/http://twitter.com/mbreeding17 Aug 2011
77th IFLA General Conference and Assembly
Summary
Many aspects of technology supporting the automation of libraries are changing rapidly. Service-oriented architecture, Web-based computing, increased integration of social networking concepts, as well as cloud computing such as software-as-a-service characterize this emerging landscape. Products and services making use of RFID technology have to exist in an automation ecosystem increasingly reshaped by these technologies. Breeding will present a view of how RFID and related technologies fit into this evolving environment, some of the challenges involved such as the need for more modern protocols for interoperability, and some of the opportunities enabled for new efficiencies and innovations. He will also review some of the changes in the global RFID business landscape and comment on its implications for libraries that depend on their products and services.
Library Technology Guides
www.librarytechnolog
y.org
Library Technology Guides
Includes lib-web-cats directory of libraries
Tracks library automation products used by libraries: LMS, Discovery, Link resolvers, etc.
Recently added section on RFID and related products
Interest in collecting data on how these products have been implemented globally
Lib-web-cats Technology Profile
Koha Libraries Worldwide
Lib-web-cats extended for RFID Products
Lib-web-cats tech profile
Annual Industry report published in Library Journal: 2010: The New Frontier 2009: Investing in the Future 2008: Opportunity out of turmoil 2007: An industry redefined 2006: Reshuffling the deck 2005: Gradual evolution 2004: Migration down, innovation up 2003: The competition heats up 2002: Capturing the migrating customer
LJ Automation Marketplace
The New Frontier…
new phase of competition following a period of research and development that aimed to provide alternatives to libraries, both in back-end automation and end user discovery. A variety of new solutions have emerged, often representing quite different conceptual models. In a continued trend, librarians seek solutions that immediately improve the experiences of their users, especially via discovery products.
Phase of realignment in LMS platforms
Strong need to realign library automation with current library realities
Legacy library systems reinforce workflows no longer in step with library priorities.
Need systems that allow libraries to allocate personnel in proper proportion to collection
Separate automation platforms for print and electronic have not proven successful
Key Context: Technologies in transition
XML / Web services / Service-oriented Architecture
Local computing shifting to cloud platforms SaaS / private cloud / public cloud
Beyond Web 2.0: Integration of social computing into
core infrastructure Full spectrum of devices
full-scale / net book / tablet / mobile
Revised library automation priorities
Fundamental assumption: Print + Digital + Social Print-focused models not adequate for modern
libraries Libraries currently moving toward surrounding
core ILS with additional modules to handle electronic content, social engagement, resource sharing, and self-service
New discovery layer interfaces replacing or supplementing ILS OPACS
Working toward a new model of library automation Monolithic legacy architectures replaced by fabric of SOA
applications Comprehensive Resource Management
“It's Time to Break the Mold of the Original ILS” Computers in Libraries Nov/Dec 2007
Working toward more Open Systems
Achieving openness has risen as the key driver behind library technology strategies
Open source Open API’s Demand for Interoperability Libraries need to do more with their
data Ability to improve customer experience
The Shrinking LMS
The Library Management System no longer stands as the single library automation product that provides comprehensive support for all aspects of library operations.
Many libraries putting much less emphasis on LMS
Manages workflows related to physical materials
Investments in electronic content increasing
Management of e-content handled outside of the ILS
Legacy LMS Model
Circulation
BIB
Staff Interfaces:
Holding / Items
CircTransact
User Vendor Policies$$$
Funds
Cataloging Acquisitions Serials OnlineCatalog
Public Interfaces:
Interfaces
BusinessLogic
DataStores
Breaking out of the mold
Academic and Research libraries especially struggle with how to deal with managing increasing proportions of licensed electronic content
Public Libraries seeking technologies that facilitate engagement with their users: social, interactive, dynamic
LMS geared toward print materials New generation of products emerging to
address new and emerging library realities
Interoperability Protocols relevant to RFID
Standard Protocols for access to item and patron data SIP NCIP
Standard Protocols for access to bibliographic data OAI-PMH ILS-DI (Integrated Library System – Discovery
Interface) Standard Protocols for access to other data and
functionality API’s specific to automation platform Generalized set of API’s
SIP: System Interchange Protocol• Initially created by 3M, used widely throughout
industry for self-service and other tasks needing access to patron and item data and status in library automation systems.
• 3M: “Permission is hereby granted to utilize this protocol in hardware and software products but no permission is granted to create derivative works or otherwise modify the protocol” (from ver 2.0 document)
• Version 1: 1993• Version 2: 2006• Version 3: Draft currently under review
NISO Circulation Interchange Protocol
Official Standard designed to operate in the same space as SIP Z39.83
Part 1 approved October 2002; Part 2 Approved Nov 2008
Not widely adopted for self-service More widely used in resource sharing:
interlibrary loan and direct consortial borrowing Open source NCIP Toolkit developed and
released by the eXtensible Catalog project http://code.google.com/p/xcncip2toolkit/
Application Programming Interfaces Automation products cannot exist in
isolated silos APIs provide a set of tools used by
programmers to: Extend Functionality Connect external systems Extract or synchronize data
Proprietary API’s common in LMS space Moving toward open API’s and Web
Services
Benefits of APIs to Libraries
Extensibility Interoperability Allows the LMS to connect with other automation
components Create a matrix of interconnected systems rather
than isolated silos with redundant data and functionality
LMS maturity means similar levels of functionality LMS products increasingly differentiated by extent
and quality of APIs and interoperability support
`
Legacy ILS Model / API
Circulation
BIB
Staff Interfaces:
Holding / Items
CircTransact
User Vendor Policies$$$
Funds
Cataloging Acquisitions Serials OnlineCatalog
Public Interfaces:
Interfaces
BusinessLogic
DataStores
Application Programming Interfaces
Legacy ILS Model / protocol
Circulation
BIB
Staff Interfaces:
Holding / Items
CircTransact
User Vendor Policies$$$
Funds
CatalogingAcquisitions Serials OnlineCatalog
Public Interfaces:
Application Programming Interfaces
Protocols: SIP2 NCIP Z39.50 OAI-PMH
Self-Check
Self-Check
Interlibrary
LoanSystem
Interlibrary
LoanSystem
Legacy ILS Model / External API
Circulation
BIB
Staff Interfaces:
Holding / Items
CircTransact
User Vendor Policies$$$
Funds
CatalogingAcquisitions Serials OnlineCatalog
Public Interfaces:
Application Programming Interfaces / Web Services
Protocols: SIP2 NCIP Z39.50 OAI-PMH
ExternalSystems
& Services
ExternalSystems
& Services
Flexible Interoperability
LMS as Middleware
LMS provides strategic core of automation
Less involved with end-user contact Discovery for Web-based collection
discovery and user services Self-service stations for loans and returns Smart-card and payment systems
Con
solid
ate
d in
dex
Search Engine
Discovery ServiceSearch:
Digital Coll
ProQuest
EBSCO…
JSTOR
Other Resour
ces
Library Services Platform model
`
API Layer
Library Management
System
LearningManageme
nt
LearningManageme
nt
Enterprise ResourcePlanning
Enterprise ResourcePlanning
StockManageme
nt
StockManageme
nt
Self-Check /
Automated Return
Self-Check /
Automated Return
Authentication
Service
Authentication
Service
Smart Cad /
Payment systems
Smart Cad /
Payment systems
RFID Business Environment
Major RFID Companies
2CQR (UK) 3M Library Systems
(also supports Checkpoint) Bibliotheca / Intellident /
Bibliotheca ITG Book-Tech (Taiwan) Convergent Software
(RFID support software, Validation)
D-Tech (United Kingdom) EnvisionWare (diverse
product line including RFID)
Libramation (Canada) Lib~Chip RFID system
Lyngsoe Systems (Sorting systems RFID/Barcode)
mK Sorting Systms (RFID / sorting, self-check, etc)
PV Supa (Finland, Scandinavia)
Shenzen Seaever Inteligent Technology (China – RFID systems)
Swisslog Telelift GmbH (book transportation systems)
Tech Logic (Owned by TLC) VTLS – Fastrack VTLS
division
Consolidation
Transition from a fragmented industry of many small players into one where dominated by large global companies
Many companies continue to prosper that operate within a region or country
Bibliotheca – Intellident – ITG Three former competitors joint to form
new global company Integrated Technology Group – United
States Spun off of Vernon Library Supplies
Intellident Based in the United Kingdom
Ident SAS (French subsidiary) Bibliotheca RFID Systems
Based in Switzerland
New Global Company
Operates regionally under existing brands Bibliotheca ITG / Intellident / Bibliotheca
Global company: Library Solutions BV Majority ownership: One Equity Partners
Shai Robkin
Diversification
Companies involved in RFID tend to offer diversified products, often to different vertical markets
Diverse technologies: RFID, Electromagnetic, software, hardware, manufacturing
Different dependencies on suppliers of RFID chips, etc.
3M Library Systems
Largest player in RFID and self-service Electromagnetic + RFIC products
Major launch into the e-book arena 3M Cloud Library Intends to compete with Overdrive E-book content – licensed through major
publishers Integration layer – leveraging SIP and other
mechanisms developed in support of self-check E-book reader – developed for institutional lending In-library kiosk for discovery and download
Intellectual Property Issues
Patent dispute between 3M and EnvisionWare 3M filed patent infringement suit against
EnvisionWare June 23, 2009 United States Patents involved in the suite
include: 6,486,780, 6,232,870, and 6,857,568 USPTO ruled 6,486,780 patent awarded to 3M
dealing as invalid USPTO review of 6,857,568 still in process Announcement of confidential private
settlement on August 12, 2011
RFID Technology Issues
Privacy Issues
How much information to encode on tags Identifier only? Additional functionality available with
more content Essential to avoid matching materials
information with user User data can be read from non-library
materials No public search of identifiers stored in
tag
RFID Data Encoding Standards• ISO Standards published in March 2011• ISO 28560-1:2011• ISO 28560-2:2011• ISO 28560-3:2011• NISO: Proposed that US libraries adopt
Section 1 and 2 and develop a national profile
RFID & LMS
Can RFID deliver value beyond self-check and AMH?
Need enhanced interoperability models Leverage existing standards and API’s in
the same way that the ILS-DI protocols provided needed support to connect LMS and Discovery products
Provide comprehensive automation model that helps libraries improve service and increase value to their communities
General Observations
Industry maturing with larger and more stable companies
Increased development of Standards Helpful to the extend adopted
Risks of investing in RFID diminishing RFID currently focused on increased
efficiency RFID technologies increasingly
positioned to support more innovative services
Questions and discussion