Ever thought of a library system without Library cards & clumsy, tedious process but with double efficiency ? RFID makes this dream possible. But many librarians are dithered by the cost restrains & the possibilities of several glitches that can otherwise be encountered.
LIBeXTM is a RFID solution in a box, which means everything that is needed to make the installation successful is provided by LIBeXTM. In this unique model LIBeXTM offers the
necessary hardware, software, consumables & consultancy together and take the complete responsibility of converting a legacy Library into an RFID enabled Library. So no more running after different vendors and finally landing up in a blame game. LIBeXTM team works very closely with the librarians and end product is a RFID ready Library..
What is RFID?
Grouped under the broad category of automatic identification technologies, radio frequency identification (RFID) is a generic term that is used to describe a system that transmits the identity (in the form of a unique serial number) of an object or person wirelessly, using radio waves.
Major challenges with RFID installations
Usually the Software & Hardware vendors are different in case of RFID installations and because of which many RFID installations spiral out of control and end in a blame game.
Un-optimized hardware: There are various technologies available under the umbrella of RFID owing to its universal usage. The tags are available in different shapes and sizes, capacity & power. Hence it is becomes necessary to choose most suitable hardware for making it successful.
Fine-tuning of hardware & software: The RFID technology is always evolving and hence it is necessary for the software also to be fine tuned to better complement the hardware.
Sensitive technology: RFID is still a very sensitive technology and hence many problems can occur during the implementation which would be virtually impossible to detect during planning stage. e.g. a old Celling Fan with a damage motor can cause erratic results on a RFID reader.
Components of RFID System
RFID Tag: RFID tags used in LIBeXTM are passive. A passive tag is an RFID tag that does not contain a battery; the power is supplied by the reader. When radio waves from the reader are encountered by a passive RFID tag, the coiled antenna within the tag forms a magnetic field. The tag draws power from it, energizing the circuits in the tag. The tag then sends the information encoded in the tag's memory.
The RFID tags are available in various shapes and sizes. For LIBeXTM RFID we have identified tags which are more suitable for Library applications.
RFID Reader: An RFID reader is a device that is used to read an RFID tag. The reader has an antenna that emits radio waves; the tag responds by sending back its data.
The RFID reader can read multiple tags in one attempt, a feature called as Anti-collagen. High end readers can read more number of tags simultaneously.
The reader can be fit in different enclosures for functionalities like drop box, tagging etc. However LIBeXTM uses a biometric enabled RFID reader which can perform various operations required by a library seamlessly.
Gate Antenna: EAS is a term used for Electronic Article Surveillance. This facility is used in the library to control the theft of various materials in the Library. This operation is performed by discharging the RFID card on the material after the material is officially issued to the patron.
If someone tries to take a material which is charged out of the library, the EAS antennas can detect the same and audible alarm can be started which will alert the security person to take the necessary action.
Unique features of LIBeXTM Biometric enabled Library Terminal
The LIBeXTM terminal works with a biometric reader. Now the finger of the patron can be scanned once and the same pattern can be used again & again for issue & return. That eliminates the need for a library card.
The other different operations that can be performed by the Library are as follows.
Tagging: The tagging of the books can be done using the RFID terminal. Tagging operation helps in assigning a tag to a particular accession number. This operation can be done by placing book on the reader and specifying the accession number of the book.
Issue of books: While issuing the books and other material the patron scans the fingerprint on the Kiosk. Once the finger is matched the details about the patron is found out within no time. Since it is a fingerprint based authentication, the matching is secured. Only after the proper patron is found the book shall be issued to the respective patron based on the rules set for circulation like how many books can be issued in one go etc. It is possible to use multiple books in one go due the anti-collagen mechanism. Using a Webcam a photograph of a person can be taken and the same can be used as security reference.
In case the patron sends another person to the library for the transaction then the usual library system can be used for this transaction.
Return of Books: Return of books is a very straight forward operation. Once the books are placed on the RFID Kiosk the books will be returned back to the system. The EAS tag will be armed and the alarm will start if someone tries to take the material out.
Usually the Drop-box mechanism that is followed, many a times the books can get damaged and hence checking out using a terminal like this is always a better way of returning the books to the library.
Stock taking: The Stock taking is done using a handheld RFID reader. The handheld reader would read the entire collection in almost instantaneously. This reader is then connected to the RFID station for the final stock taking.
There are various other facilities like tagging, setup etc. which are integral part of LIBeXTM RFID.
LIBeXTM RFID is a scalable solution and hence depending upon the budget one can pick & choose different type of hardware and expand the operations over the period.
since this architecture helps in reducing the costs involved in making different setups with different servers at various locations , the total cost of ownership is reduced drastically.
With LIBeXTM we could automate
our Library is 15 days flat.
Because the application is
RFID ready , the time to go
live was very less and entire
process was very smooth.
