“A barcode on steroids”:RFID and the EPL experience (so far)

Adrienne Brown CantyEdmonton Public Library

Netspeed 2006 ~ October 19, 2006

RF?

• NOT:– Really Frightful!– Relatively Freaky!– Remarkably Fearsome!

The Alfie slide(what’s it all about?)• Information storage/retrieval

• Microchip and antenna

• Data: identifier, security

• Read by passing through RF field– Wireless– Contact-free– Orientation-independent

Origins

• Surprisingly early

• Warehouses

• Harsh environments

• Retail – EPC/UPC

Basic RFID components

• Label– Microchip– Antenna

• Transponder

Perspective

• Tag: a barcode equivalent

• Transponder: just another input device

How it works

• Chip data

• 13.56 MHz

• ISO 15693, 18000

• Passive

• Proximity

Everyday RFID• Pet microchips• Gas station “speed passes”• Building entry systems• Automobile entry/ignition• Toll roads/bridges• Mass sports events• Public transit

Chip data (libraries)

• Unique identifier

• Security bit

• Space for rent?

Security

• Off at checkout, on at checkin

• Goodbye, deer in the headlights?

• Goodbye, false alarms?

• Goodbye, locking cases?

Known issues

• Metal content

• Data content

Controversy

• Eavesdropping

• Identifying information

• Personal documents

• Viruses/malware

• “Spychips”

Why RFID at EPL?• Growth

– Increased city population– Increased library visits– Increased library circulation

• Public demand for value-added services• Work smarter• Increase staff visibility• Automate what can be automated

Components selected• Tags• Transponders• Security gates• Handheld units• Self-check stations• Automated check-in• Automated sorting

Project goals self-service options customer independence customer privacy F2F time with customers value-added services speed to locate items (inventory)• Immediate check-in

Project goals, cont’d. check-in errors lineups & time spent in them

staff-handled transactions time per transaction

invisible staff, invisible tasks physical handling of items staff soft-tissue injuries

Ground rules

• No “unstaffed circulation desk”

• No pink slips

• Jobs may change

EPL process• Organizational support• Investigation team• Funding• Business case• RFP• Vendor selection• Implementation

Business case• Background• Project Description• Strategic alignment• Environment analysis• Alternatives• Business & operational impacts• Project risk assessment• Cost/benefit analysis• Conclusions & recommendations• Implementation strategy• Review & approval process

Request for Proposal

• General description of project

• Background information

• Mandatory 2-day site visit

• Evaluation criteria

• Specifications

Specification categories• General• Server and hardware• Security gates• Staff PC workstations• Conversion stations

(tagging)• Self-check stations• Self check-in stations with

sorter• Handheld unit• RFID tags

• Errors• QA & system acceptance• Training• Support & documentation• Warranty• Upgrades / expansion /

development• Equipment/supplies• Timelines• Other

Weighted evaluation criteriaValue % Criterion

10 7 Firm or individual’s qualifications

10 7 Relevant experience and references

10 7 Comprehensiveness of response

25 17 Response to requirements

20 13 Total cost of ownership (TCO) over 5-year period

20 13 Project schedule

20 13 Impact on Library operations

15 10 Training

15 10 Support/warranty

5 3 Value-add & other relevant information

150 100 Total

Proof-of-concept testing• Software for components• 20 book tags• 20 CD/DVD tags• 10 videocassette tags• 20 tag boosters (if required)• 1 conversion station• 1 transponder for staff workstation• 1 set of two security gates• 1 inventory wand

Implementation

• “Rolling stages”

• Branch-by-branch– Tags– Security gates– Admin stations– Self-check stations– Automated return/sorting

Managing the project

• Project Sponsor

• Representative Project Owner

• IT Project Coordinator

• Rotating team membership

• Tagging Supervisor

So far…

• Tagging began September 25 at STR

• 53,000+ items completed in 14 working days

• Holds, returns from other service points

• Tagging currently underway at LON

“Unexpected hedges”

• Dust jackets

• Videocassettes

• Multi-disc sets

• Metallic covers

• Metallic hub tags

Getting the word out• Mascot: the Macintosh model• Staff meeting visits

– RFID in Libraries DVD (2004)

• Regular newsletter column• “Nobody knows you’re a dog”• Reports to Technology Council• E-mail updates

The shoulders of giants• Radio Frequency Identification and the San Francisco Public

Libraryhttp://www.sfpl.org/librarylocations/libtechcomm/RFID-and-SFPL-summary-report-oct2005.pdf

• Ontario IPC: Guidelines for using RFID tags in Ontario Public Librarieshttp://www.ipc.on.ca/docs/rfid-lib.pdf

• ALA– Tech Note on RFID (updated 02/2006)

http://www.ala.org/ala/pla/plapubs/technotes/RFIDtechnoteupdate.doc– “RFID Technology for Libraries.” Library Technology Reports, v.39, n.6

(Nov/Dec 2003).

• RFID in Libraries DVD – Library Video Network (2004)http://www.lvn.org/p-71-rfid-in-libraries.aspx

Staying up to speed

• RFID Journal

• c|Net automatic news search

• Google Alert

• RFID for Libraries listserv (RFID_LIB)

Cue the patriotic music…

Questions?

Adrienne Brown Canty

Manager, Strathcona Branch Library

8331 – 104 Street NW

Edmonton, AB T6E 4E9

Voice: (780) 496-3953

Fax: (780) 496-1451

acanty@epl.ca