RFID & III API

MENA IUG3rd Annual Meeting November 18 – 19, 2008American University of SharjahUnited Arab Emirates

Huguette YaghmourDirector of Library Automation Systems

The American University in Cairo Library

American University in Cairo Library

AUC Library received a grant in 2006 - 08 ,

which was utilized to implement the use of

RFID as an up-to-date with the technology

and to provide entrance control and stock

security.

There were 2 parts to the project

1. Book tagging for RFID checkout, checkin, exit control,

and stock control

2. Patron identification while borrowing and at Library entrance

What is RFID?

• RFID stands for Radio-Frequency Identification

• RFID tag stores data, which is verified remotely by the Millennium database or the proprietary database.

Where is the tag placed?

• The RFID book tag is placed inside the cover of the book.

• The RFID ID tag is embedded in the ID card.

What information does the tag contain?

• RFID for books contains ONLY the book barcode number.

• RFID for IDs contains ONLY the patron barcode number (in the Library sector of the RFID chip).

Benefits of using RFID tags in books

• Facility in checking out and checking in (Circulation desk or self-check machines)

• Facility in performing inventory and shelf-tidying

• Easy to track a book on the shelf

AUC Library’s choice

• For books: 3 M system and self-checkout units

• For IDs: Datacard Group supplied the enterprise software system and entrance control - i.e. gates -- (their licensed representative in Egypt is Excel Systems Egypt)

AUC Library issues the University IDs

• Our choice of ID card (HID MIFARE smart card) was determined by the one already selected by the AUC for campus access, i.e. 4K RFID-chip Mifare

• The RFID chip in the card is divided into sectors, and we chose our sector in co-ordination with other entities in the AUC who had plans for the card

The Patron record in the Datacard enterprise software system consists of:

• Patron name (Family, First, … )

• Patron barcode• University ID• Patron type• Expiry date

• Photo• Card serial number• Library access flag• University access

flag• Issuer

III Patron Web Services

III offers two products:

• Patron Update

• Fine Payment

These products are used to copy the data from Millennium into the proprietary software system (or vice versa)

AUC Library

opted to purchase only the first product,

i.e. Patron Update

Patron Update API (Web Services)

• Allows a library to offer patron information to an external system, such as an electronically controlled access gate or a "one card" system

• Allows patron data to be maintained and/or synchronized in both systems

• Interfaces with 3rd-party proprietary systems e.g. ID systems

• Sends single-record, real-time updates to patron records

Single-record, real-time updating of patron records is done:

• Via a third-party product (TPP)

• In real-time

• As single-record updates rather than as a batch process

Benefits of making a single-record, real-time update

• Issue new patron ID (add patron to database) on demand

• Update information (expiry date, etc)

• Transmit card image to the monitor at the entrance for checking purposes

AUC Library updates Millennium patron records

• students: twice a year,

• faculty and staff: once a year. Consequently, the expiry date on a record will show if a student has graduated or a faculty or staff member has left and is no longer allowed to use the Library.

At the gate, the RFID reader reads the chip,

the patron barcode interrogates the

proprietary system, which checks the

patron record for expiry date. If the expiry

date is prior to the date of attempted entry,

the alarm sounds.

RFID entrance system:

During checkout, the patron’s barcode is

read off the ID chip directly into Millennium,

which recognizes the status of the borrower

and the loan rule that applies.

RFID checkout:

Privacy

Fear of RFID as a possible invader of

privacy (which has been a major

controversy in the US) was never an issue

with us. However, we already used ID

cards, and a stock security system, so it’s

possible no-one felt any difference.

The data on the RFID chip (patron barcode)

was actually less than that on the barcode

card that preceded it.  All our books were

already bar-coded, and the data on the

RFID book tag is simply the barcode. 

Minimum data stored on RFID chips

So in the extremely remote chance of an

RFID snooper reading the ID and book

tags, no titles and no borrower names

would be known.

AUC Library plans

To use the smart ID card to credit money

for printing through the “Pharos” system

Questions