Presentation to the IT RFID Group meeting in San Juan, 17th August 2011 - establishing Special Interest Group (SIG)

1. Learning from the Past, Looking
to the Future
Library RFID
RFID in UK Libraries
IFLA – Puerto Rico 17th August 2011
Mick Fortune
Library RFID Limited

2. Overview
• Defining our terms – what does RFID
mean to you?
• One technology?
• Case Study – the UK library market
• Taking stock
Library RFID
• A way forward?

3. DEFINING OUR TERMS –
Library RFID
WHAT DOES RFID MEAN TO YOU?

4. Radio Frequency IDentification
• One idea – can mean many different
things
• In the library it may be found in
– Stock
– Smartcards
Library RFID
– Smartphones
– The furniture, or even the walls

5. Some Library RFID Solutions
Automated Receiving Book sorter - Denmark
Library 24 – - Holland
Italy
Library RFID
RFID enabled
smartphone - USA
Smart Shelves -
Singapore

6. Library RFID
ONE TECHNOLOGY?

7. Radio Frequency IDentification
• RFID solutions may differ in terms of,
– Tags
– Frequencies
– Data
Library RFID
– Levels of interoperability and
integration

8. Tags
• All shapes and sizes
• Different frequencies and formats
• ...even chipless *
Library RFID
* http://www.theaustralian.com.au/australian-it/chipless-tracker-to-transform-libraries/story-e6frgakx-1226106169778

9. Library RFID Frequencies
Source: US Defense Acquisition University, VA

10. Most Commonly Used Library
Frequencies
UHF HF
Typical range Up to 5 metres Up to 1 metre
Cost Less expensive More expensive
Library RFID
Typical Capacity 512bits 1kb
Data standard No Yes
compliant?

11. A key component – the data!
• A “Data Model” defines both the content
and location of data on tags
• Many are supplier defined (proprietary)
• Some countries defined a national data
model (e.g. Denmark)
Library RFID
• ISO have recently published a three part
international data model

12. Interoperability
• Reading another vendor’s tags has often proved
problematic, sometimes impossible
• A common data model will allow different suppliers
to read and write to the same tags
• UK, Canada and Australia promoting solutions
based on ISO 28560-2. NISO recommends the same
Library RFID
for USA.
• Limited interoperability is available at the security
level1
1 NISO include a very useful section on levels of interoperability in security for ILL at
http://www.niso.org/apps/group_public/download.php?document_id=6508

13. Integration
• Most RFID solutions link to a library
management system (ILS1)
• Linking may be via an industry protocol (SIP2)
or be proprietary (e.g. API, Web Service)
• The level of RFID functionality on offer is
often determined by the degree of
Library RFID
integration with the ILS
1 Integrated Library System – also known as Library Management System (LMS)
2 Standard Interchange Protocol – developed and owned by 3M®

14. CASE STUDY –
Library RFID
THE UK LIBRARY MARKET

15. Very rapid growth...
Libraries using RFID
180
160
140
120
100
80
60
Library RFID
40
20
0
2008 2009 2010
Data from the annual RFID survey of UK libraries

16. …but very limited choice
• 97.8% of UK RFID installations buy their
entire RFID solution from a single supplier*
• There is (almost) no competition once an
RFID supplier is chosen
• New products are available – but being
proprietary –cannot be used everywhere
Library RFID
• Most RFID companies are committed to
change this scenario – but most librarians
aren’t.
*Source: Annual RFID survey - run by the author

17. A Mature Market?
• Growth fuelled by political pressure rather
than innovation or stability
– RFID=Self Service=reduced staff costs
• Decline in IT skills – particularly in public
sector – results in little understanding of
Library RFID
possible impact on existing systems
• Research often reveals mixed messages...

18. A Manufacturer’s View
“RFID Puts Librarians Where They're Needed Most”
• RFID technology is simple, robust and inexpensive. Each
RFID label has a unique identification number and can
be programmed with additional information such as
type of media and storage location.
• The tag is "re-writeable" so libraries don't have to
replace a book’s digital identification tag when updating
Library RFID
a book's status or flagging a book for reservation. In
addition, libraries are finding new ways to take
advantage of tagged items, such as gathering statistics
on what items are most often used.
http://www.ti.com/rfid/shtml/apps-asset-tracking-library.shtml

19. A Librarian’s View
“Currently I would see the main advantage of (using) a data
model being when/if we change supplier for our tags or
equipment. One of my concerns would be what happens
to the 800,000 books we have tagged using a propriety
data model!”
Library RFID
(email from an unnamed University Librarian – May 2011)

20. The (UK) RFID Supplier’s View
“RFID Alliance to Unlock Library Potential”*
• The benefits …could be instrumental to the wider public use of
library facilities ...
• Importantly for existing customers of the Alliance suppliers, each
has committed to supporting their historical customer base
with the move to the new standard as and when it should be
required.
Library RFID
• With the Alliance agreement in place, and with ISO/DIS 28560-2
setting the standard for all future tags, the next logical step is for
libraries to act on this to further improve their services.
*Joint statement issued in October 2009

21. Working together…
• RFID interest group founded in 2007
• Jointly sponsored by CILIP1 and BIC2 (managed by
BIC)
• Membership includes all ILS and RFID suppliers
plus librarians, media and book suppliers
• Publishes best practice and procurement
Library RFID
guidelines
• Promotes standards adoption
1Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals
2Book Industry Communication

22. …to achieve better outcomes
• Two major objectives:
– Standardise
• Common Data Model (Interoperability)
• Common Communication Framework (Integration)
– Improve procurement practice
Library RFID

23. A Common Data Model
• Agreed on adoption of ISO 28560-2
• Developed a UK libraries profile (the UK
Data Model - or UKDM)
• All UK libraries are urged to make support
for the UKDM a mandatory requirement
Library RFID
• All major UK RFID companies have pledged
to support this standard

24. A Common Communication
Framework
• Most UK RFID suppliers worked with BIC to
produce a new communication framework –
published in July 2011
• Two ILS suppliers have also participated in
the programme
Library RFID
• In the meantime 3M have announced the
development of SIP 3.0
• NISO continue to develop NCIP

25. Improving Procurement Practice
• Publishes procurement guidelines1
• Urges buyers to review existing purchasing
agreements that may limit choice and
increase costs
• The UK goal: Buy what you want – from
Library RFID
whom you wish!
1 http://www.bic.org.uk/e4libraries/

26. Library RFID
TAKING STOCK –
WHERE ARE WE NOW?

27. A Vicious Circle?
• Librarians feel they want more from RFID –
but are not sure how to get it
• RFID companies want to offer more –
but often need ILS help to develop
• Lack of common RFID standards may
discourage ILS providers from developing
Library RFID
new functionality
• Librarians failed to demand standards

28. There are many misconceptions…
• It threatens privacy
• It threatens jobs
• It’s too complex
• It’s very simple - a “Barcode on Steroids”
Library RFID

29. …and there’s STILL an elephant
in the room
• The lack of data standards was recognised as a
problem as early as 2003 in both the USA –
“If the possibility exists that more than one vendor’s RFID
system will be used, RFID interoperability standards must be
developed and adhered to.”
http://www.lincolntrail.info/RFIDInConsortialEnvironment.html
and in Germany,
“All existing RFID systems use proprietary technology
Library RFID
which means that if company A puts an RFID tag on a
product, it can't be read by Company B unless they both
use the same RFID system from the same vendor."
[RFID Journal 2003]. Quoted by Mats G. Lindquist at IFLA Berlin, Chair, IFLA's Information
Technology section

30. Library RFID
THE WAY AHEAD?

31. The market is changing...
• There are two ways to create a more
homogeneous market:
– Let one supplier own it all
– Adopt standards to allow free competition
• Mergers and partnership deals continue
Library RFID
apace, so option one is approaching...
• But in a free market standards make sense
for corporations too - easier development,
more opportunity, lower cost.

32. …libraries must change too
• RFID creates intelligent stock – using it
only for self-service fails to realise its full
potential
• Budgets are tight and services are under
threat so achieving full ROI is vital
Library RFID
• Consider automating accessions and
returns, using mobile devices to manage
stock, explore the possibilities of using
smart shelves, interactive displays, etc.

33. A Simple Manifesto for IFLA?
• Encourage use of common standards – especially
for data.
– “A common solution is … important to avoid libraries becoming
dependent upon specific vendors.” – Leif Andresen writing in
IFLA’s IT newsletter – July 2011
• Improve communications between ILS and RFID
Library RFID
vendors (data and discussion)
• Monitor and evaluate new developments to
provide “best practice” guidance.

34. Mick Fortune
Library RFID Ltd.
t. +44 7786 625544
e. mick@libraryrfid.co.uk
w. www.libraryrfid.co.uk
b. www.mickfortune.com/Wordpress
Thank You!
Library RFID