RFID at the item level delivers returns to libraries

Update (October 2006):  

Original Article (August 2006):

Gold Coast City Council (GCCC) Library Service will become one of the first library services of its size to simultaneously implement 3M™ RFID across its entire network of branches.

• Return on Investment
• Gold Coast City Library Service implementation of 3M RFID
• Why GCCC selected 3M
• The 3M One-Tag RFID System

Read more: GCCC media release1,  GCCC media release 2

Imagine you decide to drop by your local library (at the busiest hours of course since that is the only time you can go there), you walk in, the long lines you expected are non-existent, “my lucky day” you think. As usual you sit down at a computer to browse for your books. You go down the aisles, you notice that one of the librarians is giving a reading session for children, “that would be wonderful for Malcom, I’ll bring him along next time.”  You find all the books where they are supposed to be, “definitely my lucky day”. A librarian comes up to you, smiling, and you exchange comments on one of your books, she advises you on another book that you would enjoy, and once again the book is at the right place. You go to the 3M SelfCheck™ System, scan your library card, and put your stack of items on the counter and it’s done! The 3M SelfCheck System also tells you that the item you reserved online is now available for collection. A lucky day? Not really, you have just experienced RFID in your library!

RFID in libraries will certainly help the Australian public be more aware of the benefits of the technology.

Nowadays libraries are busier, patrons expect more services and because they are more technology savvy they expect their library to have the latest technology. However library budgets and staff resources are not keeping pace with the increasing demand for new services.  Because of this more and more libraries are choosing to implement RFID to boost their productivity.  Nevertheless implementing RFID is a long decision process with a lot of time spent gathering information and evaluating different solutions. Libraries can apply for grants from the State but they need a system that lasts and they do not want to be locked into a proprietary system. The Gold Coast Council Library Service RFID project took over 5 years, from the initial concept stage to the actual roll out and implementation.

Return on Investment

Some of main benefits from implementing RFID, especially at the item level are productivity, improved collection management, reduced risk of injuries and enhanced customer service. A US library that implemented RFID saved $52,500 by locating 556 items that they thought were missing. Patrons enjoy a better library experience with simplified processes and shorter lines.   RFID also frees up library staff time (eg from scanning each item for check out) to focus on more value added activities. There are less Occupational Health & Safety issues due to improved ergonomics and simplicity of processing. Ben Sebrowski, Circulation Manager at Independence township library, Clarkston, Michigan reports “we experienced a 30% increase in efficiency since we have completed our RFID tagging”.

With over 480,000 residents, Gold Coast City has the second largest population for a Local Government Area in Australia. GCCC Library Service provides access to its resources via a distributed network of 14 branch libraries, a local studies library, a corporate library and 2 mobile libraries.

“Globally RFID technology is a hot topic for libraries. By undertaking such a large-scale implementation Gold Coast City Council have raised their profile within the library community,” Product Manager for 3M Library Systems, Mr Eoin Geaney said. “Councils and Library Services across Australia and the world will follow the success of this RFID project over the coming months,” he said.

Leona Jennings and Eoin Geaney

“[RFID] has been my obsession for several years” said Ms Leona Jennings at the 3M RFID demonstration conferences on 23rd August at the 3M Australia headquarter in Sydney. The Coordinator, Library Services Management Projects, explained to other librarians in the audience, all the processes she went through since the initiation of the project in 1998. She gave advice on how to fund the case for RFID and how to get the funding. “Think about your most routine work process, now imagine cutting the steps it takes to perform that task in half. What capacity would that give you for customer service?” She also added that they had been waiting for the price of the tags to decrease: “The ongoing tags are the most expensive cost”. The price average for a tag in the industry fell to 90 cent. At Beenleigh Library “Customers love it” reports Ms Jennings, “Kids think it’s pretty cool” and “elderly people feel good about mastering the system”. “We are even getting lines at the self check-out because everybody wants to try it and forget there is still a circulation desk.”

Ms Leona Jennings is also part of the Standard Australia working group IT-19-01-02 about RFID standards in Libraries related to the compliance to ISO standards. The latter is an important criteria for libraries because it means they can source their tags from other vendors and could have the possibility of mixing and matching their existing equipment. (read more about this issue in coming newsletters).  Why GCCC selected 3M: According to Ms Leona Jennings, the main reasons Gold Coast City Council selected the 3M One-Tag RFID System was because of its proven ability to ¤     improve efficiencies and ergonomics in the workplace, ¤      increase productivity and enable staff deliver higher levels of customer service; ¤      its compliance with the ISO standards (18000/3 & 15693) Other important factors were its simplicity of implementation, 3M’s 35 years experience working with Australian libraries and their local technical service and support infrastructures.    The 3M One-Tag RFID System includes:

3M RFID Tags: o  Passive tag, chip from Texas Instrument  o        Information stored: -item identification number (the same as the barcode) -item type (book, CD, DVD, …) -library branch number -if the item is a member of a set - security status o        Guaranteed for the life of the item to which it is affixed.	3M™ SelfCheck™ System: o       Advantages of RFID at the level item allow a simplification of the checkout/check-in system: no line of sight required, simultaneous tag reading, no scan line to find, no special orientation. o        Achieving 85%+ self service check-out rates at the Swansea and West Ryde libraries.	3M Detection System: o        Stand alone system that interrogates the security status of the RFID tag, ensuring that all the items have been checked out properly
3M Conversion Station: Used to program the item identification number (barcode) to the 3M RFID tag.	3M Staff Workstation: o        Used by library staff to process issues and returns	3M Digital Library Assistant: o        Handheld device used for checking the shelf order, identifying items out of place, searching for missing items and performing an inventory of items on hand.
	3M™ SelfCheck™ System C-Series: o        RFID enabled return chute which automatically updates the Library Management System when items are returned.

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