Hi, Let me deliberate on the points raised by with whatever modest knowledge I have.
Why RFID tags, given the fact that they are quite costly, are they really that useful in a library?
RFID tags [1] are costly only if you are comparing it with barcode. We can talk hours pointing out the differences between them, but I believe you are already aware of them. Barcode doesn't not take care of security, which can also be done with EM Tattle tapes of 3M (which cost around Rs. 10). Barcode and EM combined cannot do the following things which can be done with RFID: * Automated Self-Checkout * Automated Self-Return [24x7] * Automated Sorting of items * Stock Management (2-3 hours for 100,000 items) * Shelf Management If you think all of the above is important functionality then Rs. 25 (price of 1k memory tag) isn't too high. Of course, this price goes down on higher volume or lesser memory.
When practically using these tags, on a book, where exactly would you place the tag? On the spine of the book? On the Cover Page?
It is recommended that you paste the tag on the inside binding of the book after the last page. It can even be hidden inside binding cover or some book labels, etc.
If it is placed on the spine, and the book gets jostled in any way and falls – would if not affect the tag?
The tag cannot be pasted on spine of most books since the minimum ISO recommended size for square tag is 45x45mm. The standard size of tag available in the market is 50x50mm. The tag should not be bent in any manner, which can damage the integrated circuit.
If it is placed on the inside of the book, how would one conveniently take stock? On the spine of the book, with a hand-held sensor, it would be quite easy to use it right?
Normally, the handheld antenna has a read range of 20 cm. Hence, the handheld readers should be able to capture Item IDs of tagged books even if the tag is not pasted on spine, as long as it is within the range.
If the sensor is too sensitive would it not adversely affect the issue/return of library documents?
The RFID antenna doesn't damage the tag. The iCode compliant or ISO compliant passive tags are rewritable for at least 100,000 times. It can also withstand severe temperature environments from -10 to 55 degree celsius.
The idea behind the tagging would be more for making the library services available 24X7 right? In that case, how would a user return books before issuing some others? Eg – a person can issue 4 books at a time, s/he comes to the library and tries to issue a 5 th book, since s/he cannot do so, s/he returns a book already issued – how? Where would s/he place it? In a drop box? Or self-service?
The circulation limits for each patron/item is defined in the library system. The RFID system is a front-end device which connects to the library system for circulation using standard protocols such as SIP2 [2] or NCIP [3]. The RFID system will reject transaction if it is rejected by the library system. For this to happen both the systems (RFID and Library system) should be either SIP2 or NCIP compliant. The users can borrow items themselves through a self-checkout station. They can return the items through Book Drop Station [4] or Remote Return Kiosk [5]. There is also a possibility of combining these two functions of borrow and return using Multi-Purpose Station [6]. All these stations update the transaction record instantly in the library system, which allow a member to checkout another item as soon as one item is returned through the RFID station.
How does one practically use the RFID tags in a library? I am sure some of you would be using the tags in your library. What has been your experience? How useful do you find the RFID tagging? Would you recommend it to others, and why?
I recommend you speak to the libraries which have already implemented RFID system in the library. IIT Madras currently has the largest successful RFID installation in the country. [1] http://www.rflibrary.com/rfid.html#tags [2] http://www.aneg-dv.de/allegro/sip2/sip2_developers_guide.pdf [3] http://www.niso.org/standards/resources/NCIP_Resource_Page.html [4] http://www.rflibrary.com/bookdrop.html [5] http://www.rflibrary.com/remotereturn.htm [6] http://www.rflibrary.com/multi.html Best regards, Saiful -- Saiful Amin Information Specialist Edutech India 2/2, Union Street Off Infantry Road Bangalore 560001, India Tel: +91 80 4112 3437 GSM: +91 98407 76214 Fax: +91 80 4151 7801 www.edutechindia.com "Enhancing knowledge and skills for success, lifelong."