Abstract

Radio frequency identification (RFID) technology is an innovative automated library system for automatic identification and tracking of library material. Currently, RFID applications range from book tracking and stock management, to theft detection and automatic book sorting. RFID technology is a dynamic link between people, objects and processes and in the near future it plays a prime role in data collection, identification as well as analysis necessary for specific library operations. An automated library with the support of RFID technology would be a “self service station” that demands least intervention by the library personnel. Efforts are being made to introduce self-service “check-in” and “check-out” that avoid long delay in the delivery of library material and also for achieving better efficiency in operations. RFID is used in libraries primarily to automate the book handling process including check-out, inventory control, check-in and anti-theft. When combined with computer assisted sorting equipment, RFID facilitates and speeds up even book sorting. Automating the library material handling process allows library professionals to spend more time with the clientele, thus, increasing the ‘user satisfaction’. The potential benefits are obvious and the systems are getting cheaper. When the technology matures even more and competition increases in the industry, better tags and equipment will become more economical. It may only be a matter of time before radio frequency identification technology will completely replace barcode systems and become the standard for every organization. In this paper an attempt has been made to describe different components of RFID system. A detailed account of various applications of RFID technology in libraries has been discussed along with possible disadvantages of RFID system.

Key words: Radio frequency identification (RFID) technology, RFID system, reader, users, books, materials, information.