A few months ago I had the opportunity to attend, and present, at an Access Services conference in Atlanta, GA. There were over 150 people representing dozens of libraries across the country. The program consisted of many interesting topics discussing various issues that most libraries all seem to have in common: customer service, staff management, collection management, and statistical data collection, to name a few.
One presentation, by Catherine Jannik Downey from Georgia Gwinnett College Library, stuck out in my mind as it dispelled a couple of myths I have been holding on to. GGC Library is a small but growing library that recently moved into a new building. Starting with a small collection it was(financially) feasible to convert from their existing barcode system to Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) chips as well as being able to upgrade equipment in the new facility.
When I first heard about RFID chips for books a number of years ago I was thrilled with the possibilities. Patrons walking out the door would have any books in their bag automatically checked out to them as they pass through the security gates. Shelf reading could be done with a wave of a wand across library shelves. Missing books could be tracked down anywhere in the building. Teams of library ninjas could seize unreturned materials from dorm rooms…
It turns out patrons still have to visit a circulation point to have their books checked out and that sometimes the antenna misses a book or two and patrons can leave with uncharged materials in their bag (and set off the exit alarms). Shelf reading wands do not necessarily read the books in order and metal shelves can deflect chip radio signals. Chip signals are not strong enough to track down missing materials. And campus security would probably frown on a team of ninjas.
The RFID chip is not a dead idea though. Companies like UPS and Fedex would not be using them if they did not work very well, but those companies have a great deal of automation and materials are generally handled only by people trained to do things a certain way. Libraries don’t have that luxury. We let people paw through our books and often training patrons is limited to a well worded sign.
But times are changing and so are libraries. Some, for example, have moved toward off-site storage facilities and the RFID chip could play a role in moving materials in an efficient manner. And the cost of converting existing collections could be balanced by limiting it to those materials that are housed outside the traditional library.
RFID technology has the potential to change how libraries operate, but for now they are not ready to take over the library world for a variety of practical reasons that are as yet cost prohibitive to try and overcome.
So until then I will keep working on plan B: the Force and Jedi Knights.
(yes, this entire post was written as an excuse to post this video)
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Hah yes, I have also come up with many excuses to send people that video! :D
ReplyDeleteIn all seriousness, though, the idea of RFID chips for books kind of scares me. I think it could lead to a lot of vandalism when people attempt to remove them, and a lot of theft as people find creative ways to dampen signals and suchlike.
Maybe I'm just being a pessimist? Like you said, there are certainly wonderful applications to be had. Offsite storage being only one among many!
I love this video. There's something about the little kid that reminds me of my son, but I'm sure every parent says that.
ReplyDeleteInterestingly, the tie in here isn't just Eileen's reference to Jedi Knights. RFID is actually the technology that runs car keyless entry and remote start.
I had heard about RFID chips for Books a few years ago, as well as the shelf reading wands/tools/software and the technology where people can see, virtually, the exact location of a book on the shelves.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if there are any plans to implement any of this at Bobst and what's on the horizon. I do think that the recent wayfinding signs (including the opaque signs on the glass doors on the upper levels) that have been implemented will be helpful for patrons locating books. If, in addition to the new wayfinding signs, the Library can combine this with some aspects of the RFID or another kind of technology to help us find misplaced books or assist patrons trying to locate books and find them on the first shot, that would be great.
Lastly, I have to say that I need to see Star Wars again so I can get the context of the commercial in all its glory! It's been a long time. And I just got an idea of what to wear as a costume for Halloween!