Application cases and analysis of RFID technology in libraries

1. RFID technology and the composition of the Library RFID system

The basic concepts and principles of RFID Radio frequency identification technology, also known as electronic tags, is a wireless communication technology. Automatically identify specific targets and read and write related data through wireless signals, without any manual intervention in the entire workflow.

The library RFID system is based on RFID technology and combines computer technology, programmable controller technology, network communication and other technologies to realize library front-end service and back-end management. The system basically includes: librarian workstation system, electronic label conversion system, self-service certificate application system, self-service borrowing and returning system, self-service book return sorting system, collection inventory system, security Access Control system, intelligent navigation retrieval system and self-service library and other functions subsystem.

2. Application cases of RFID in foreign libraries

——Take Singapore as an example

The Singapore government invested 1 billion Singapore dollars to build the National Library of Singapore in 1998 and began to build an RFID system. The entire system was completed and put into use in 2002. It was the only large public library in the world that fully adopted RFID management at that time.

Every citizen in Singapore can use his or her ID Card or driver's license to borrow books from the National Library. The borrower only needs to bring the book to the self-service borrowing machine, insert his or her ID card or driver's license, and put the book on the scanning screen. It is extremely easy to complete the borrowing process.

In addition, the self-service borrowing machine also supports automatic printing of the list of borrowed books, borrowing and return dates, etc. The process of returning books is simpler, and the whole process can be summed up by the word "throw". Borrowers can choose any nearest National Library outlet to return books. They only need to go to the self-service book return system and put the books to be returned one by one to complete the return process. The system also has a display screen that can Allows borrowers to check the status of book returns.

According to the relevant person in charge of the National Library Board of Singapore, the effect of applying the RFID system is very obvious, saving tens of millions of dollars in relevant funds every year, reducing human resource costs by about 2,000 people, and at the same time, the number of borrowings has increased by nearly 2.1 times.

The biggest feature of the National Library of Singapore in applying RFID technology is that it has established a modern book sorting and logistics system in cooperation with the National Post Office of Singapore. Borrowers can borrow and return books at any outlet of the National Library, and the post office is responsible for sorting and processing the returned books every day and ensuring that they are returned to the original library within 24 hours, thus truly realizing the universal borrowing and returning of books. .

3. Application cases of RFID in domestic libraries

       A library in Shenyang applies RFID technology to library Management to achieve self-service subscription and self-service book return; at the same time, it facilitates the library to quickly inventory collections, facilitates staff to arrange, sequence, and reverse shelves, as well as security and anti-theft. Converting traditional manual services to electronic services has improved the library's modern management level.

RFID system content and structure

The library RFID system consists of RFID hardware, computer integrated equipment, and software. The RFID hardware is connected to the computer integrated equipment through a standard serial port or USB interface to form the terminal of the library RFID system (Figure 1):

RFID system hardware

The library selected Impinj's RFID tags and cooperated with a Shenyang group to design a complete set of design solutions, including RFID work base stations, RFID tag writing and conversion equipment, self-service system equipment, handheld counting instruments, and security systems (as shown in the picture) 2. Figure 3).

RFID registration card: used to record book information and security and anti-theft functions (passwords can be set), and is also used to engage in readers’ circulation, borrowing and returning operations, readers’ identity identification operations, etc.

RFID work base station: Integrated design, can be used for RFID tag writing, borrowing books, returning books, querying and borrower account information management.

RFID tag conversion station: used for initial processing of book tags.

RFID Reader/writer: used to read and write data to RFID tags using signals.

Self-service borrowing and returning system: used for readers’ self-service, to complete the functions of borrowing books, returning books and querying readers’ basic information.

Self-service return system equipment (indoor): used for readers’ self-service book return service, which is not restricted by the opening and closing time.

RFID counting device: mainly used for data collection and search of bookshelf information and library information.

Security system equipment: mainly import and export signal recognition.

The core software of the RFID book system includes the seamless connection between the RFID system equipment terminal and the library management system, as well as the tag memory storage encoding scheme. The main core of the system is to align with the existing book query system).

Utilize leading RFID technology to integrate access control, library cards, book tags, tag conversion devices, self-service book borrowing and returning machines, mobile inventory platforms, librarian base stations, management software, etc. to provide convenient and user-friendly book management. Serve.

RFID system software functions

According to the specific needs of Shenyang Digital Library, the library’s RFID system software has the following functions:

RFID counting software

API interface and corresponding dynamic link library (dll) based on MS Windows and PDA operating systems. Provides collection inventory processing software based on the Pcoket PC operating system, which can save the inventory results in a certain format and transmit them to a library management software in Shenyang for further analysis and processing. Provides software with functions such as searching for books on the shelf, ordering books on the shelf, and completing the entire shelf.

The RFID point detector is connected to a PC or laptop through a standard USB interface, and runs relevant software for corresponding processing.

Inventory: Able to generate an in-stock list (generated by a point checker), which is generated after the software processing is completed, and then a list of missing books is submitted. The system automatically changes the status of the item based on the list, and automatically changes the status of the book based on the inventory information. If it is out of stock or the information does not correspond There will be an automatic alarm prompt.

Sorting: Whether the sequence list is consistent and the location is indicated. If you need to specify the location to the rack, you must access the rack library of the management system.

Shelves: It can associate book shelf information with item information, submit related information to the library, update item location information, and provide OPAC system query and display.

Data collection: The inventory can be inspected, a list can be generated in the inspection device, and the data can be counted through background analysis of the originals.

Data collection, processing and batch processing: You can collect data from books on shelves first to generate collection text Files. After collection, the text files can be batch processed through software. The advantage of this processing is that you don’t need to connect to the system in real time for frequent data collection. access, reduce system burden and increase data collection rate.

Self-service book borrowing and returning system software

Provide a complete set of self-service book borrowing/self-returning software. The software features are: based on XP, win2000 and win7, including system management, real-time book flow monitoring system, book alarm and user management functions; supports multi-language operating environment, Customers can choose Mandarin, Traditional Chinese, English, Japanese and Korean according to their own needs; they can choose whether to print receipts; it has animation demonstration and help prompt functions. If there is a problem, the borrower can call the staff or seek help from the staff through the software system. Staff use the positioning system to instantly find the location of borrowers seeking help; it has offline processing capabilities. During offline processing, all important data information is recorded.

4. Current status of RFID technology application in smart libraries

In recent years, as people pay more and more attention to RFID technology, the application of RFID technology in domestic libraries has gradually embarked on a fast track. As of the end of 2011, there are Jimei University Chengyi College, Shenzhen Municipal Library, Xiamen Children's Library, Shanghai Changning District Library, Shantou University Library, Wuhan Municipal Library, and National Library in China (mainland area). , Hangzhou Municipal Library, Deng Xiaoping Library, Tianjin Library, Sanya Municipal Library, Guangzhou Municipal Library, etc. A total of 127 libraries have completed the deployment of RFID systems. Overall, although the domestic library community started late in the research and application of RFID technology, and the scope and scale of use still lag behind other developed countries and regions, the gap in usage levels is gradually narrowing.

5. Conclusion

With the popularization of RFID technology, it has become an inevitable development trend for libraries to apply RFID systems to replace traditional management and anti-theft systems based on barcode technology and build an automated and intelligent new management model.

Currently, more than 5,000 libraries around the world are using RFID systems, and the number of newly introduced RFID systems is growing at a rate of 30% every year. RFID technology will also inevitably trigger huge changes in the existing management and service models of libraries, and will inevitably inject new vitality into the future development of libraries.