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Impact of RFID technology on Libraries
Sagar Kumbhar
Gokhale Education Society, College of Arts Commerce and Science
Shrivardhan,Maharashtra
Abstract
The use of RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology in libraries is
having a vast impact on library services and services providers in several areas in
the libraries, such as self-check out, control on theft of material, dividing reading
material etc. Nowadays the use of RFID in Indian libraries is growing and
awareness about this technology has been on increase. The RFID affects the main
component in libraries especially the users and the library professionals to
reducelabour work and enable quick access of resources. This paper discusses the
impactof RFID, merits, components and its use in Indian institutions. RFID is a
sustainable system and it offers a new application in libraries and increases the
goodwill of institution in the globe.
Keywords:Library, Library services, Computer application, RFID technology.
Introduction
RFID (RadioFrequency Identification) is new technology but its use for library is one kind of
revolution in library services, which is adopted by libraries for tracking of materials throughout
the library as well aseasily charging, discharging, and sorting out of reading materials. RFID
technology has changed the whole face of libraries and it makes libraries faster and more secure
than any other technology. RFID plays a vital role in managing library collection and reduces the
human efforts in work such as controlling the theft, to find misplaced reading material,
inventory accuracy, stock verification procedures, security control, etc. The RFID technology is
basically combination of microchip and radio signals, the microchip contain the data of
individual object and we can identify it through the radio waves. The RFID tags have capability
to storing and transmitting information and it replaced both EM security strips and Barcodes in
library application.
What is RFID?
RFID is an automatic tracking of the objects or product through radio waves. In RFID is a totally
wireless and there is no human interaction between operating and identifying the items. The tags
are using for storing the data of objects and it can be retrieve through the radio waves.The
primary objective of RFID is to identify the objects and track them automatically while at the
time of operation.The use of RFID for libraries at the beginning time was only for the security
purpose but now the trend has been changed and libraries are become automated though the
RFID. Now they are using this technology not only for security purpose but also in charging,
discharging, tracking, stock verification and to sort out the reading material.
RFID Technology for libraries:
In this era the academic libraries have good number of collection of books, audio, video and cd
rom but they are facing challenges to preserve and keep it secure. RFID is a best solution of
those academic libraries not only academic even it is continent way to all type of libraries and
information centers to manage, secure and circulate their collection in effective.
The Main purpose of RFID Technology is reducing theft of material but now days RFID got
customized and it was moved beyond security to become tracking systems that combine security
with more efficient tracking of material throughout the library, including easier and faster charge
and discharge, inventory and material handling. RFID plays a vital role in library routine work to
make easier and faster than other technologies. RFID draw a ways to library staff to perform
their activities such as check in, check out, sorting, stock management in effective as well as in
less time. Now days through the RFID we can do Stock verification which very time consuming
task in library, through the RFID scanner we can verify our collection in less time.
Merits of RFID technology in Libraries:
a) Speedy CirculationTransactions:
This is the biggest advantage of RFID technology for library that library professionals
can save their time in charging and discharging of the books. The all the details of book
are stored on TFID tag and it can be easily retrieved at the time of charging and
discharging of the books.
b) Precision in Tracking:
RFID is a comprehensive technology- it’s not just secures the documents but alsotracking
them when it pass throughout the library
c) Easy self-charging/discharging:
Through the RFID library can able to provide self-charging and discharging service to the
users, that users can issue their books and other library resources itself
d) High-speedinventorying:
This is a unique advantage of RFID system to track library material without removing
from shelf, it will reliable for library staff while doing stock verification.
e) Automated capture of materials:
The one more application of RFID system is that it can automatically identify the library
material and sort out the books as per the arrangement of books and category as well.
f) Better than other technologies:
The RFID technology is not new but its use in library area is revolutionaryin the library
field and is more convenient that barcode in speed, identifying the documents
andcirculating of books.
Components of RFID System
a) Tags:
It is a main component in the RFID technology without this it will not work. The tags
also called transponders or labels and it is attached with the objects. Tags could be of
active, passive orsemi-passive. There are tags like memory chip that are available to store
information in the form of bits.
b) Readers:
Reader is a transceiver (transmitter/receiver). It is necessary for make interface in Radio
Frequency Interface (RFI) module and control unit. The readers are classified based on
the frequency (LF,HF,UHF, etc.,). Their main function is to activate the tags, structure the
communication sequence with the tag and transfer databetween the application software
and tags Middleware.
c) Computer Host:
Computer systems are host and communicate between the readers and tags. The RFID
host systems have different structures and data can be flown through the LAN or Internet.
d) Application Software (ILS):
The software is highly depending upon the system requirements and it is bunch of
functions and assists to the system to interact between a tag and a reader.
e) Antenna: It is components that detects the signal from the reader through radio waves
and interact with data tags.
Impact on Libraries
a) Management of library material:
=Through the RFID system, the libraries are able to manage their material on shelves and
also it helps to identify the missing books as well as missing shelf document. The RFID
technology is not only useful in identifying the material, but libraries enable to check
their stock on time to time.
b) Offered more services for users:
Libraries can provide self-issue and return service to the users and save time of staff as
well as users.
c) Security:
This the biggest impact of RFID technology on libraries and information centers that they
can secure the library material as well and also avoid the theft of the document.
d) Flexibility:
The RFID have ability to add newer product ad per the customer needs.
e) Time and efforts:
This is another impact of RFID technology for libraries to saving the time and efforts of
library staff as well as users. It automatically helpful to provide more comprehensive
services to users
Impact on Library Staff
a) Saving time in library operation:
The saving time of user as well as staff is the primary objective in behind implementing
RFID in library. Hence the most of time of library staff are going in charging and
discharging of books and in arrangement of books. Through the RFID It can be done
more easily.
b) Convenient in managing library day to day work:
Through the RFID system we can manage the library day to day operationsfaster than the
existing devices asit is more accurate and precise than any other technology.
c) Reduce repetitive work:
The RFID save more time of library staff in their respective task and avoid repetitive
work such as charging and discharging material, checking the issued books, sorting out
the book as per the arrangement.
Impact on Users
a) User can save their time in and efforts in standing in the queue for issue and return of the
books
b) User can return their books anytime through drop box service
c) Intimate to the users before due date of books for returning of borrowed books
d) Self-service through RFID increase the privacy for users
e) User can find easily and quickly what they want.
Institutes in India Who are using RFID Technology in Library
a) IIM,Shillong
b) Anna Unuversity,Chennai
c) BCL,Delhi
d) IGCAR,Kalapakkam
e) Bank of Baroda
f) IMSC,Chennai
g) IIM,Indore
h) IIT,Delhi
i) IIT,Roorkee
j) IIT,Chennai
k) IIT,Kharagpur
l) NASSDOC,New Delhi
m) NCL,Pune
n) NIT,Surat
o) Parliament Library,New Delhi
p) Punjab University,Chandigarh
q) University of Pune,Pune
r) IIM,Lucknow
s) NCBC (National Center for Biological science) Bangalore
t) IIT, Madras Tata memorial library,Indian Institute of Science,Bangalore
u) Biju Patnaik Central Library
v) N.I.T.,Rourkela
w) DayanandSagar College of Engineering, Bangalore
Conclusion
Now libraries are going to move forward in providing access of their resources and using
advanced technology for this purpose. The RFID is one of them and it has changedthe whole face
of library services and work flow of libraries. RFIDsystem has reduced the human’s interaction
in library operation as well as reduces labor work and time of users in accessing resources of
library. Now a days, the use of RFID system in Indian libraries has increased and it is also
helpful to college libraries to adopt RFID technology for improve their services.
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