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B.G. Prakash

As you read the books, RFID tags read the movement of books in the library.

Much is being written about radio frequency identification (RFID) technology and its uses. One interesting space where it can be applied is the library, although the concept is still relatively new in India.

How does this technology help in the library context? RFID reduces the time to issue or accept books and monitor `book drop' without human intervention.

Information is read much faster than from barcodes and several items in a stack can be read at the same time.

An RFID system has three components — tag, reader and software. The tag becomes a `label' in a library application. RFID labels with embedded information are affixed to library books. They conform to ISO 15693 standard, in the 13.56 MHz range of frequency.

RFID tags can be imprinted with the library's logo to look like bookplates. One Indian company is venturing into manufacturing tag/label indigenously.

The tag can be `passive' or `active'. A passive RFID tag is used in a library context. `Active' tags are substantially expensive, and can support top secret documents, announcing that they are being accessed, with time and date. Active tags have a tiny battery as an in-built power source. It could be a Polymer Lithium Ion battery strip. A semi-passive tag is in the offing.

The `Reader' is usually hand-held and is used for issue/receipt transaction at the circulation desk and inventorying while the `sensors' are used at library entry/exit. The sensor searches the tag from a distance. Readers and sensors need power to interrogate/read the tags.

It is possible to distribute `appropriate' software among readers and sensors. The electronic compatibility between label and reader must conform to ISO 15693.

Though standardisation is taking root, encoding and the software needed to process it, can differ from vendor to vendor. Hence, changing from one system to the other requires re-tagging all items or modifying the software.

The communications gateway

The reader or sensor powers an antenna and transmits an RF (radio frequency) field. As a label crosses this field, the reader and sensor detect and read information stored in the chip in the label, which is decoded and sent to the server. The server communicates with the automated library system. The Server — the heart of RFID — is the communications gateway.

Through `middleware,' it receives information from the readers/sensors and checks with the library database. Most of the software is on the server.

A docking station can substitute for a server. Some software is embedded in the reader to facilitate communication with the server and with the library staff. When there is no server, more of the software is on the reader. Some will be on a docking station. Server with the software is expensive and includes a transaction database to produce reports. Readers, servers and docking stations are of different kinds.

`Theft byte'

An important addition is `intelligence' with a `theft" bit that can be turned on and off. A `theft' byte in the tag shows whether the item has been charged or not. The developers call this theft detection system Electronic Article Surveillance. RFID exit sensors read the tag passing through and communicate that information to the server. The server, after checking against the library database, activates an alarm if the material is not properly checked-out.

More on RFID use in libraries in the next part.

To be concluded

The author is a retired Squadron Leader.

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