4 Reasons for Libraries to Fully Deploy RFID Technology
Libraries are hosting fast-growing communities by the day and maintain increases in asset circulation. In keeping up with the times, they have expanded their resources and program offerings to better cater in order to cope towards daily users. From inventory management to customer service, suffice it to say that librarians have a lot on their plate.
RFID technology offers quick and easy benefits for both library staff and users. It significantly improves library functions, from the speed and accuracy in shelving and circulation to freeing librarians’ time so they can provide direct personal service to users. It also promotes users’ autonomy and self-reliance in various ways.
How RFID works in the library
RFID technology is essentially a tool and asset tracking system, which comes in the form of a passive RFID tag affixed to a library book. There is a microchip within the tag that holds information about the item. A passive tag has no batteries, no power source and needs an RFID reader to power up and read its data. If a librarian scans the shelf for inventory, the reader will beep if it detects a missing or misplaced item.
In more complex levels, RFID technology can help with anti-theft detection. By using the same RFID tags embedded in the books, RFID-enabled gates can track un-borrowed materials, reminding the user to return the item or check out. In checking out an item, RFID allows users to place their stack of books on an RFID pallet and check them all out in a single scan, instead of scanning barcodes one by one.
The benefits of RFID in the library
Faster circulation transactions: RFID enables rapid book checkout and check-ins. It is faster than barcodes and can scan several items in a stack all at once, not requiring line of sight and not requiring the books to be appropriately placed in order to be identified. Users can do automated returns and check-ins even without having a librarian to assist them.
Increased attention from library staff: RFID saves staff’s time by automatizing their tasks. They spend less time processing books, conduct inventory of library materials, and other routine physical tasks. Instead, they can spend more time on the human side of their jobs, help and interact with customers, adding to their job satisfaction.
High-speed inventory: Using RFID inventory management means that librarians can do stocktaking automatically, as compared to manually making entries. Librarians can use a handheld RFID reader to scan a shelf of books and update inventory rapidly. At the same time, the reader can also detect items that are misplaced. All these can be done without removing the books from their shelves.
High reliability and cost-effectiveness: RFID readers are highly reliable with almost 100 per cent detection rate with reduced instances of false alarms. They are cost-effective and better than barcodes that are susceptible to wear and tear, rendered them unreadable. The typical guarantee for RFID tags, on the other hand, is 100,000 transactions or ten years before they have to be replaced.
Conclusion
RFID technology offers many advantages to libraries in the form of operational efficiencies, time-saving, and value-added services. It enhances the value of libraries as it makes them efficient. With the benefits provided by RFID, libraries can be empowered to reinvent, diversify, and upgrade their services focusing on individuals providing a personal touch.
