“A barcode on steroids”:RFID and the EPL experience (so far)
Adrienne Brown CantyEdmonton Public Library
Netspeed 2006 ~ October 19, 2006
RF?
• NOT:– Really Frightful!– Relatively Freaky!– Remarkably Fearsome!
The Alfie slide(what’s it all about?)• Information storage/retrieval
• Microchip and antenna
• Data: identifier, security
• Read by passing through RF field– Wireless– Contact-free– Orientation-independent
Origins
• Surprisingly early
• Warehouses
• Harsh environments
• Retail – EPC/UPC
Basic RFID components
• Label– Microchip– Antenna
• Transponder
Perspective
• Tag: a barcode equivalent
• Transponder: just another input device
How it works
• Chip data
• 13.56 MHz
• ISO 15693, 18000
• Passive
• Proximity
Everyday RFID• Pet microchips• Gas station “speed passes”• Building entry systems• Automobile entry/ignition• Toll roads/bridges• Mass sports events• Public transit
Chip data (libraries)
• Unique identifier
• Security bit
• Space for rent?
Security
• Off at checkout, on at checkin
• Goodbye, deer in the headlights?
• Goodbye, false alarms?
• Goodbye, locking cases?
Known issues
• Metal content
• Data content
Controversy
• Eavesdropping
• Identifying information
• Personal documents
• Viruses/malware
• “Spychips”
Why RFID at EPL?• Growth
– Increased city population– Increased library visits– Increased library circulation
• Public demand for value-added services• Work smarter• Increase staff visibility• Automate what can be automated
Components selected• Tags• Transponders• Security gates• Handheld units• Self-check stations• Automated check-in• Automated sorting
Project goals self-service options customer independence customer privacy F2F time with customers value-added services speed to locate items (inventory)• Immediate check-in
Project goals, cont’d. check-in errors lineups & time spent in them
staff-handled transactions time per transaction
invisible staff, invisible tasks physical handling of items staff soft-tissue injuries
Ground rules
• No “unstaffed circulation desk”
• No pink slips
• Jobs may change
EPL process• Organizational support• Investigation team• Funding• Business case• RFP• Vendor selection• Implementation
Business case• Background• Project Description• Strategic alignment• Environment analysis• Alternatives• Business & operational impacts• Project risk assessment• Cost/benefit analysis• Conclusions & recommendations• Implementation strategy• Review & approval process
Request for Proposal
• General description of project
• Background information
• Mandatory 2-day site visit
• Evaluation criteria
• Specifications
Specification categories• General• Server and hardware• Security gates• Staff PC workstations• Conversion stations
(tagging)• Self-check stations• Self check-in stations with
sorter• Handheld unit• RFID tags
• Errors• QA & system acceptance• Training• Support & documentation• Warranty• Upgrades / expansion /
development• Equipment/supplies• Timelines• Other
Weighted evaluation criteriaValue % Criterion
10 7 Firm or individual’s qualifications
10 7 Relevant experience and references
10 7 Comprehensiveness of response
25 17 Response to requirements
20 13 Total cost of ownership (TCO) over 5-year period
20 13 Project schedule
20 13 Impact on Library operations
15 10 Training
15 10 Support/warranty
5 3 Value-add & other relevant information
150 100 Total
Proof-of-concept testing• Software for components• 20 book tags• 20 CD/DVD tags• 10 videocassette tags• 20 tag boosters (if required)• 1 conversion station• 1 transponder for staff workstation• 1 set of two security gates• 1 inventory wand
Implementation
• “Rolling stages”
• Branch-by-branch– Tags– Security gates– Admin stations– Self-check stations– Automated return/sorting
Managing the project
• Project Sponsor
• Representative Project Owner
• IT Project Coordinator
• Rotating team membership
• Tagging Supervisor
So far…
• Tagging began September 25 at STR
• 53,000+ items completed in 14 working days
• Holds, returns from other service points
• Tagging currently underway at LON
“Unexpected hedges”
• Dust jackets
• Videocassettes
• Multi-disc sets
• Metallic covers
• Metallic hub tags
Getting the word out• Mascot: the Macintosh model• Staff meeting visits
– RFID in Libraries DVD (2004)
• Regular newsletter column• “Nobody knows you’re a dog”• Reports to Technology Council• E-mail updates
The shoulders of giants• Radio Frequency Identification and the San Francisco Public
Libraryhttp://www.sfpl.org/librarylocations/libtechcomm/RFID-and-SFPL-summary-report-oct2005.pdf
• Ontario IPC: Guidelines for using RFID tags in Ontario Public Librarieshttp://www.ipc.on.ca/docs/rfid-lib.pdf
• ALA– Tech Note on RFID (updated 02/2006)
http://www.ala.org/ala/pla/plapubs/technotes/RFIDtechnoteupdate.doc– “RFID Technology for Libraries.” Library Technology Reports, v.39, n.6
(Nov/Dec 2003).
• RFID in Libraries DVD – Library Video Network (2004)http://www.lvn.org/p-71-rfid-in-libraries.aspx
Staying up to speed
• RFID Journal
• c|Net automatic news search
• Google Alert
• RFID for Libraries listserv (RFID_LIB)
Cue the patriotic music…
Questions?
Adrienne Brown Canty
Manager, Strathcona Branch Library
8331 – 104 Street NW
Edmonton, AB T6E 4E9
Voice: (780) 496-3953
Fax: (780) 496-1451
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