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Learning from the Past, Looking to the FutureRFID in UK Libraries

Mick FortuneLibrary RFID Limited

IFLA – Puerto Rico 17th August 2011

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DOverview

• Defining our terms – what does RFID mean to you?

• One technology?

• Case Study – the UK library market

• Taking stock

• A way forward?

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D DEFINING OUR TERMS –WHAT DOES RFID MEAN TO YOU?

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DRadio Frequency IDentification

• One idea – can mean many different things

• In the library it may be found in

– Stock

– Smartcards

– Smartphones

– The furniture, or even the walls

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DSome Library RFID Solutions

Library 24 –Italy

Automated Receiving - Holland

RFID enabled smartphone - USA

Book sorter - Denmark

Smart Shelves -Singapore

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ONE TECHNOLOGY?

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DRadio Frequency IDentification

• RFID solutions may differ in terms of,

– Tags

– Frequencies

–Data

– Levels of interoperability and integration

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DTags

• All shapes and sizes

• Different frequencies and formats

• ...even chipless *

* http://www.theaustralian.com.au/australian-it/chipless-tracker-to-transform-libraries/story-e6frgakx-1226106169778

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DFrequencies

Source: US Defense Acquisition University, VA

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DMost Commonly Used Library

Frequencies

UHF HF

Typical range Up to 5 metres Up to 1 metre

Cost Less expensive More expensive

Typical Capacity 512bits 1kb

Data standard

compliant?

No Yes

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DA 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)

• ISO have recently published a three part international data model

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DInteroperability

• 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 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

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DIntegration

• 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 integration with the ILS

1 Integrated Library System – also known as Library Management System (LMS)2 Standard Interchange Protocol – developed and owned by 3M®

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D CASE STUDY –THE UK LIBRARY MARKET

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DVery rapid growth...

0

20

40

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2008 2009 2010

Libraries using RFID

Data from the annual RFID survey of UK libraries

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D…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

• Most RFID companies are committed to change this scenario – but most librarians aren’t.

*Source: Annual RFID survey - run by the author

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DA 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 possible impact on existing systems

• Research often reveals mixed messages...

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DA 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 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

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DA 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!”

(email from an unnamed University Librarian – May 2011)

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DThe (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.

• 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

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DWorking 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 guidelines

• Promotes standards adoption

1Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals2Book Industry Communication

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D…to achieve better outcomes

• Two major objectives:

– Standardise

• Common Data Model (Interoperability)

• Common Communication Framework (Integration)

– Improve procurement practice

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DA 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

• All major UK RFID companies have pledged to support this standard

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DA 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

• In the meantime 3M have announced the development of SIP 3.0

• NISO continue to develop NCIP

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DImproving Procurement Practice

• Publishes procurement guidelines1

• Urges buyers to review existing purchasingagreements that may limit choice and increase costs

• The UK goal: Buy what you want – from whom you wish!

1 http://www.bic.org.uk/e4libraries/

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D TAKING STOCK –WHERE ARE WE NOW?

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DA 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 new functionality

• Librarians failed to demand standards

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DThere are many misconceptions…

• It threatens jobs

• It’s too complex

• It’s very simple - a “Barcode on Steroids”

• It threatens privacy

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D…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 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

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THE WAY AHEAD?

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DThe 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 apace, so option one is approaching...

• But in a free market standards make sense for corporations too - easier development, more opportunity, lower cost.

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D…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

• Consider automating accessions and returns, using mobile devices to manage stock, explore the possibilities of using smart shelves, interactive displays, etc.

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DA 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 vendors (data and discussion)

• Monitor and evaluate new developments to provide “best practice” guidance.

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D

Thank You!

Mick FortuneLibrary RFID Ltd.t. +44 7786 625544e. mick@libraryrfid.co.ukw. www.libraryrfid.co.ukb. www.mickfortune.com/Wordpress