RFID Library Management System

RFID is radio frequency identification. RFID technology is in use, since the 1970s. RFID tags can be active, semi-passive and passive. It is a small device that can store information. Active tags contain batteries which power their internal circuits and transmit signals using battery power to a RFID reader within a range of 100 feet. With additional batteries, this range can be increased to 300 feet. Semi-passive tags have internal batteries which are used only to power its internal circuit. Passive tags don't have internal batteries. Semi-passive and passive tags draws their power to broadcast a signal from a RFID reader. RFID reader is a device that can receive and transmit a radio signal. It is built to encode data stored in the tag's microprocessor. Because of the higher cost, active and semi-passive RFID tags are used for valuable asset tracking. The passive RFID tags are used in RFID library management systems.

How RFID technology works in library management
A RFID tag is an important part of the RFID library management. RFID library systems consist of an integrated circuit and an antenna, which enables it to function as a transponder. It can be attached to any item with the information about the item stored in it. Details such as name, origin, price, ownership of an item etc. can be a part of the information stored in a RFID tag's microchip. When a RFID reader tries to read data from a tag, its antenna emits electromagnetic energy which is received by RFID tag's antenna. The tag's microchip uses this energy to emit a radio signal using the tag's antenna. The RFID reader receives and interprets this signal and passes interpreted information to a computer network. This computer network can provide information about the items carrying the RFID tag and their present status to a computer user.

RFID library management, using RFID tags library, is easy and convenient. A RFID library management system consists of books, each attached with an RFID tag, RFID reader, computer network and software. Library staff handle lending, returning, sorting, tagging etc. of books, using RFID tags in this library system. A person can locate RFID library books marked with a RFID tags, using the RFID reader which identifies and locates the book. When the book is carried to the counter, the library staff can either activate or deactivate the electronic article surveillance bit in the book's tag. If a book is borrowed, then the surveillance bit is deactivated.

The main entrance of the library is equipped with a RFID antenna which receives radio signals from every book's tag being carried out of the library. It signals a warning, in case a book that is carried outside, with a surveillance bit in its RFID tag active. In this way a RFID equipped library system controls the inflow or outflow of tagged library books and prevents the theft of books. When a book is returned, the surveillance bit in its tag is activated, and the book cannot be taken past the entrance of the library, without an alarm being sounded.

Borrowing and returning of books can be fully automatized with the help of self check-in/out systems. This system involves installation of a special software. A person using this system to borrow books, is presented with options on a computer screen. The person has to identify himself with a code, which is preferably a personal identification number, or any form of unique identity code. Books selected by the person are identified by the system's built-in RFID reader. And, the surveillance bit in the book's tag is deactivated by the system. When a book is returned, the check-in/out system activates the surveillance bit.

Taking care of books and making them available to the book readers are important tasks. Most of the library staff's time is spent in recording information of incoming and outgoing books. Using RFID in libraries saves library staff's time by automatizing their tasks. An establishment that uses RFID library management saves a book reader, precious time that he would have been spent, waiting for his turn in a queue for borrowing or returning a book. RFID tags manufacturers are trying to bring tag prices below 50 cents per tag. Using low-priced RFID tags in libraries, will reduce the cost of modernization. RFID library management system makes the library users as well as the library staff's task easy.