Webcast Report: The Power and Pitfalls of RFID

Librarians, vendor tackle wide-ranging issues

Dodie Ownes -- Library Journal, 03/22/2010

• In absence of RFID standard, vendor transparency is important
• Be prepared for push-back from staff and patrons that are resistant to change
• A/V materials continue to be a challenge, but there is hope

“Radio frequency identification (RFID) can be a valuable tool for libraries,” stated moderator Margaret Hazel from Eugene Public Library (OR) at the opening of the March 16 Power and Pitfalls of RFID webcast, sponsored by Integrated Technology Group and Library Journal. 

Hazel then led her co-panelists through a discussion of important issues when considering implementing and maintaining an RFID system, noting not only the benefits but also the limitations and speed bumps that may be encountered.

Benefits and pitfalls
Among the potential operational benefits are improved customer service and self-service options, as well as improved materials management, organization, and security. Co-panelists Sloan Sakamoto, Manager, Automated Services, Long Beach Public Library (CA) and Gia Wilhelm, IT Director, Harford County Public Library (MD) experienced these benefits in their own institutions following the implementation of RFID.

To provide background to webcast attendees, panelist Shai Robkin, co-author of Radio Frequency Identification Handbook for Librarians (Greenwood) and President and CEO of Integrated Technology Group, outlined the basic technological benefits of RFID, then proceeded to note the pitfalls.

Robkin divides the pitfalls into three categories: technological/operational, sociological, and political.

One hot topic: interoperability and existing standards. With no current standard in place for North America, Robkin advised attendees to gain a guarantee from their RFID vendor that tags and hardware are effectively standardized. He also emphasized the importance of not having to need to rewrite tag formats, and for the RFID system to be able to read multiple data formats simultaneously so that no reprogramming of tags becomes necessary.

Wilhelm, Sakamoto, and Hazel discussed some of the challenges of RFID, including the cost involved with tagging magazines, stickiness issues with metallic covers and shiny hard-covered books, and how to tag a puppet or a wheelchair.

Security and self-checkout
The panelists then discussed RFID-based security systems. The benefits include the efficiencies of integrating security and circulation, and the ability to be alerted in real time about specific items. Pitfalls can include tag collision, challenges with tagging AV materials, and removal of tags.

To encourage circulation, libraries may consider RFID-enabled self-checkout. It adds speed and allows for greater patron privacy, said Robkin, and “kids love it.” The panelists agreed and addressed the pitfalls that Robkin pointed out, such as pushback from staff, patron confusion, and security of AV materials.

There will always be a need for staff check-out which has challenges of its own, such a RFID reader bleed (to other tags) and differing technical skills of circulation staff. 

Sakamoto cited a study that compared the time needed to process 15 books across three systems—a fully integrated RFID solution (11 seconds), barcode scanning and electro-magnetic security (45 seconds), and RFID without full integration (52).

Robkin also briefly covered RFID-based shelving and book return and sorting systems, mentioning issues of accuracy, return on investment, and interlibrary loan materials handling.

Questions and more
With a large number of audience questions to address, moderator Hazel worked the panel hard during the final 15 minutes on issues ranging from hybrid security gates and locking cases to the utility of keeping barcodes and booster antennas.

The Power and Pitfalls of RFID webcast is available for on-demand viewing at any time. Visit the Library Journal webcast archive page to register for this or any other past webcasts.