Reasons to Wait

Many library systems acknowledge the benefits of RFID in libraries but haven’t decided to implement the technology yet. A few commonly cited reasons are detailed below:

1. Privacy concerns. For some, privacy issues are seen as the primary concern. People want assurances that no one will be able to track their personal library activity through RFID. We understand the value libraries place on their user’s privacy, and RFID adoption in libraries has been implemented with a full commitment to the industry’s promise to patron privacy. We believe that educating libraries on the technical capabilities of RFID will clarify much of the concern over what can and cannot be known using this technology.

RFID tags used in libraries do not contain user information. They only contain item barcode IDs and library-related information to each tag, meaning user privacy cannot be compromised. Furthermore, the high-frequency RFID tags used in library items cannot be read at more than 18 to 24 inches from a reader antenna. With larger, specialized high-power antennas, such as those found in our RFID gate premium, tags can be read within a 3 to 5-foot range. It’s highly impractical for covert surveillance to be able to read beyond 6 feet.

In addition, the RFID tags applied to library materials are passive and not powered – they do not emit a signal. A reader tuned to the RFID tag’s frequency, such as a self-checkout unit, must be present for the tag to emit a signal.

2. Expense. Some library boards like the idea of installing an RFID system, but they want to wait for another year (or two) before making the investment. The reality is that libraries need to work within limited budgets, and they have many areas of investment to consider. From operating funds to maintain or expand library programs, staffing, services, and collections to capital-building funds to update, renovate, or build new library facilities, libraries must think strategically about how they spend their money. Some libraries choose to wait on their RFID implementation.

Because RFID systems generate significant savings in library operating expenses and pay for themselves in just a few years, an investment in RFID can be justified any time a library can acquire the funding.

An investment in RFID quickly generates savings, which can then be applied to additional areas of investment need. During an RFID conversion, most libraries find many items that were thought to be lost or stolen, reducing their need to replace those items. Utilizing RFID technology also improves community perception, showcasing the library as a modern, innovative, and high-tech establishment that is investing in the improvement of the overall user experience and focusing their staff on personal interactions.

3. Disruption. Occasionally, a librarian will acknowledge that an RFID system would be a great improvement with obvious benefits for both staff and users but thinks the conversion process would be too disruptive when considering other library changes that are already in progress.

Conversion to RFID can be swift and painless. With the more efficient systems, most people won’t even know the conversion is taking place because only one book or item is removed from the shelf at a time. In these systems, a cart is positioned in the aisle between shelves. Staff, or volunteers, work item by item, converting from barcodes to RFID. The process is surprisingly fast; with a bit of practice, up to 450 items can be converted per hour. Meanwhile, library visitors can still access the shelves, and they experience virtually no inconvenience.