RFID Technology
Prepared by Richard W. Boss
Vendors of theft detection systems are moving beyond that application to tracking systems which combine security with more efficient tracking of materials, including easier and faster charge and discharge, and inventorying. Tracking is done using radio-frequency-based technology combined with microchip technology, hence the designation RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification). The information contained on microchips in the tags affixed to library materials is “grabbed” and retrieved using radio frequency technology regardless of item orientation or alignment (i.e., the technology does not require line-of-sight or a fixed plane to read tags as do traditional theft detection systems) and distance from the item is not a factor. If necessary, the distance can be ten feet or more for building entrances and exitsCheckpoint, which had already installed RFID technology in retail establishments, introduced an intelligent, radio frequency-based communication system for tracking of library books and other materials in early 2000 after several months of working with a pilot site. The system uses tags on library materials which replace both conventional barcodes and security strips. Checkpoint’s is a comprehensive RFID system.
3M came to market with its system in late 2000. It differs from the Checkpoint system in that it is designed to complement the vendor’s existing electro-magnetic systems. The RFID tags—which replace the barcodes—are solely for tracking, while the magnetic strips are for securing the collection against theft. 3M claims that electro-magnetic strips are more secure, however, this claim has to be weighed against the loss of speed in charging and discharging of library materials and the loss of specific item identification at library exits. 3M’s is a hybrid system rather than a comprehensive RFID system.
The two vendors have over 99 percent of the world market for RFID-based systems for libraries, however, automated library system vendor VTLS has recently entered the market.
Advantages and Disadvantages
RFID systems reduce the amount of time required to perform circulation operations. The most significant time savings are attributable to the fact that several items in a stack can be “grabbed” at the same time. While initially unreliable, the anticollision algorithm that allows an entire stack to be charged or discharged now appears to be working well. The one problem that remains is that books which are not properly tagged or not the property of the library are ignored, rather than being identified.The other time savings realized by circulation staff are modest unless the RFID tags replace both the electro-magnetic or RF tags of older theft detection systems and the barcodes of the automated library system—i.e., the system is a comprehensive RFID system which combines circulation and security applications. When they are combined, as they are in the case of Checkpoint’s system, there can be as much as a 50 percent increase in throughput because one operation includes both circulation and security applications. The savings are less for check-out than for check-in because the time required for check-out usually is extended by social interaction with patrons.
For patrons using self-charging, there is a marked improvement because they do not have to carefully place materials within a designated template.
Exit control is highly reliable. Not only are there fewer false alarms than with older technologies, but the interface to the circulation system can identify the items moving out of the library. Were a patron to run out of the library and not be intercepted, the library would at least know what had been stolen. However, 3M’s reliance on the electromagnetic strips for security does not provide for the identification of items leaving the library.
The greatest advantage of RFID tracking systems is their ability to scan books on the shelves without tipping them out or removing them. A hand-held inventory reader can be moved rapidly across a shelf of books to collect all of the unique identification information. Using wireless technology, it is possible not only to update the inventory, but also to identify items which are out of proper order.
The major disadvantage of RFID technology is its cost. While the antennae or sensors used to ”grab” the information are comparable in cost to the components of a typical electro-magnetic system theft detection system, typically $2,000 to $3,000 each; a server costing as much as $15,000 is required and the tags cost $.75 to $.90 each. It may be some time before the cost of tags comes down to $.50 or less, the figure which polling of librarians has determined is the key to their serious consideration of the technology. Gemstone, a European manufacturer of RFID tags, expects to bring a $.50 tag to market within three years.
It is possible to compromise an RFID system by wrapping the protected material in ordinary household foil to block the signal; however, two or three wraps are required because the signal is quite strong.
Components of an RFID System
A comprehensive RFID system has three components:
- RFID tags that are electronically programmed with unique information.
- Antennae or sensors to read the tags.
- A server to receive and decode the information, and to communicate with the automated library system.
Tags
Each paper-thin tag contains a microchip with a capacity of at least 96 bits. The tags can be permanently activated (Checkpoint) or they can be read/write (3M). In the former case, the tag usually contains only a unique identifier for the item, typically the barcode number when one was already assigned to the item. With read/write tags other information can be added up to the capacity of the tag. For example, a library might add an identification code for each branch. That information could be changed were the holding location subsequently changed.The tags can be purchased blank or pre-programmed. The cost is the same. The former is common when a retrospective conversion of a collection that is already barcoded is undertaken. The latter is used for items acquired after the initial implementation and for libraries which have collections without barcodes.
The tag can be embedded in the item by the library, a book jobber, or by the publisher at time of manufacture. Most libraries which have implemented RFID technology have done their own tagging. Book jobbers which provide processing services are already willing to insert RFID tags at additional cost, but publishers will not do so unless most bookstores and libraries are willing to pay more for books with embedded tags. At this time, there appears to be insufficient demand.
The tags used by Checkpoint and 3M are not compatible, therefore, a change from one vendor’s system to the other would require retagging all items.
Retrospective conversion requires a programmer (Checkpoint) or conversion station (3M). The purchase price is approximately $2,500; rental approximately $250 a week. The conversion of existing barcoded items, including affixing the tags to library materials, is quite rapid, no more than 30 seconds per item. Pre-programmed tags take even less time. The conversion can be made even faster by dividing responsibility for removing and replacing library materials, converting the barcodes, and inserting the tags among at least three people. It is essential that the tasks be rotated so that no one repeats the same motions over an extended period of time.
Antennae
A typical system includes several different kinds of antennae, also known as sensors, interrogators or readers. These are radio frequency devices designed to detect and read intelligent tags to obtain the information stored thereon. The antenna generates a field of power to read the tag(s) within range. Each tag generates its own signal to provide its unique data to the antenna.There are several types of antennae, including models designed for circulation desk check-out, patron self check-out, book return check-in, and long-range walk-through devices to detect and interrogate an RFID tag passage for purposes of determining whether it is a checked (authorized/no alarm) or unchecked (non-authorized/alarm) event. Finally, there is a portable device that consists of a scanning gun attachment with laser pointer to read a group of items (e.g., books) on the shelves for purposes of locating missing and misplaced items.
Circulation desk check-out units typically cost $2,000–2,500. They can be placed on the circulation counter or built-in. Discharging can be done on the same units, or on one or more dedicated units away from the service counter. Check-in is particularly rapid because the materials can be moved over the unit without regard to the orientation of the material.
Patron self-charging units are similar to those which have been available for years and are similar in cost, approximately $20,000–22,000. They can support not only convention barcoded library cards, but also magnetic strip cards and smart cards.
If RFID is used both for theft detection and tracking, a book drop unit can automatically check in library materials and reactivate security. Since they have already been checked-in, they can go directly back onto the shelves. These units can also be used with sorter and conveyor systems. Book drop units cost $2,000–2,500. Checkpoint’s book drop unit is available now: 3M’s was still in development as of October 2001.
RFID antennae at the exits look much like those installed in libraries for the last several decades, however, the insides are very different. They “grab” the information on the tag(s) going by and communicate that information to the server. The server, after checking against the circulation database, activates an alarm if the material is not properly checked-out. The antennae cost approximately $3,000 each.
The portable scanner or inventory wand, which is priced at approximately $2,000, can be moved along the items on the shelves without touching them. The data goes to a storage unit (approximately $2,000) which can be downloaded at a docking station on the server later on or it can go to a unit which will transmit it to the server using wireless technology (approximately $3,000).
Server
The server is the heart of a comprehensive RFID system. It is the communications gateway among the various components. It receives the information from the antennae and exchanges information with the circulation database. Its software includes the APIs (Applications Programming Interface) necessary to link it with the automated library system. The server typically includes a transaction database so that reports can be produced. A server typically costs $15,000, two-thirds of which is the software.3M does not utilize a server, instead it uses a less expensive docking station.
Budgeting for RFID
A small library of 40,000 items should plan on a minimum budget of $68,390 for a comprehensive RFID system; slightly less for a hybrid system.. The shopping list would consist of:
| 40,000 tags @.$.85 | $34,000 |
| 2 staff stations @ $2,500 | 5,000 |
| 2 exit antennae @ $3,000 | 6,000 |
| 1 wireless portable scanner | 5,000 |
| 1 server | 15,000 |
| 3 weeks programmer rental | 750 |
| 330 hours of labor @ $8.00 | 2,640 |
A library with 100,000 items interested in patron self-charging and a book drop unit should plan on a minimum budget of $163,155 for a comprehensive RFID system; slightly less for a hybrid system. The shopping list would consist of:
| 100,000 tags $.85 | $85,000 |
| 4 staff stations @ $2,500 | 10,000 |
| 1 patron self-charging unit | 20,000 |
| 2 book drop units | 5,000 |
| 3 exit antennae @ $3,000 | 9,000 |
| 2 wireless portable scanners @ $5,000 | 10,000 |
| 1 server | 15,000 |
| 1 programmer converter | 2,500 |
| 830 hours of labor @ $8.00 | 6,655 |
Installations
While there are over 500,000 RFID systems installed in warehouses and retail establishments worldwide, RFID systems are still relatively new in libraries. Fewer than 50 had been installed as of the third-quarter of 2001. There was a significant increase in sales in August 2001, with at least nine new contracts signed.Most installations are small, primarily in branch libraries. The University of Connecticut Library (Checkpoint) and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Library (3M) are the only sites which are lableing more than one million items each. Other installations have been made at the University of Pennsylvania’s Annenberg Library, Farmington Community Libraries (MI), Rockefeller University Library, Santa Clara City Library (CA), Windsor Public Library (Canada), Mary Riley Styles Public Library (VA), and Stockholm University Library (Sweden).
The Santa Clara Public Library, a library that uses Checkpoint’s RFID system with an Innovative Interfaces automated library system, has put a great deal of information about RFID technology and its decision to adopt it on its Web site. The URL is http://library.ci.santa-clara.ca.us/rfid/.
Vendor Contacts
Checkpoint Systems Inc. can be reached at 101 Wolf Drive, Thorofare, NJ 08086, telephone 800-257-5540, fax 609-848-0937.3M Library Systems can be reached at , 3M Center, Building 225-4N-14, St. Paul, MN 55144-1000, telephone 800-328-0067 (in Canada 800-364-3577).