77th IFLA General Conference and Assembly RFID in the Library Context: Integration, Interoperability, and Business Environment Marshall Breeding Director for Innovative Technology and Research Vanderbilt University Library Founder and Publisher, Library Technology Guides http://www.librarytechnology.org/ http://twitter.com/mbreeding 77th IFLA General Conference and Assembly  17 Aug 2011

Summary Many aspects of technology supporting the automation of libraries are changing rapidly. Service-oriented architecture, Web-based computing, increased integration of social networking concepts, as well as cloud computing such as software-as-a-service characterize this emerging landscape. Products and services making use of RFID technology have to exist in an automation ecosystem increasingly reshaped by these technologies. Breeding will present a view of how RFID and related technologies fit into this evolving environment, some of the challenges involved such as the need for more modern protocols for interoperability, and some of the opportunities enabled for new efficiencies and innovations. He will also review some of the changes in the global RFID business landscape and comment on its implications for libraries that depend on their products and services.

Library Technology Guides www.librarytechnology.org

Library Technology Guides Includes lib-web-cats directory of libraries Tracks library automation products used by libraries: LMS, Discovery, Link resolvers, etc. Recently added section on RFID and related products Interest in collecting data on how these products have been implemented globally

Lib-web-cats Technology Profile

Koha Libraries Worldwide

Lib-web-cats extended for RFID Products

Lib-web-cats tech profile

LJ Automation Marketplace Annual Industry report published in Library Journal: 2010: The New Frontier 2009: Investing in the Future 2008: Opportunity out of turmoil 2007: An industry redefined 2006: Reshuffling the deck 2005: Gradual evolution 2004: Migration down, innovation up 2003: The competition heats up 2002: Capturing the migrating customer

The New Frontier… new phase of competition following a period of research and development that aimed to provide alternatives to libraries, both in back-end automation and end user discovery. A variety of new solutions have emerged, often representing quite different conceptual models. In a continued trend, librarians seek solutions that immediately improve the experiences of their users, especially via discovery products.

Phase of realignment in LMS platforms Strong need to realign library automation with current library realities Legacy library systems reinforce workflows no longer in step with library priorities. Need systems that allow libraries to allocate personnel in proper proportion to collection Separate automation platforms for print and electronic have not proven successful

Key Context: Technologies in transition XML / Web services / Service-oriented Architecture Local computing shifting to cloud platforms SaaS / private cloud / public cloud Beyond Web 2.0: Integration of social computing into core infrastructure Full spectrum of devices full-scale / net book / tablet / mobile

Revised library automation priorities Fundamental assumption: Print + Digital + Social Print-focused models not adequate for modern libraries Libraries currently moving toward surrounding core ILS with additional modules to handle electronic content, social engagement, resource sharing, and self-service New discovery layer interfaces replacing or supplementing ILS OPACS Working toward a new model of library automation Monolithic legacy architectures replaced by fabric of SOA applications Comprehensive Resource Management “It's Time to Break the Mold of the Original ILS” Computers in Libraries Nov/Dec 2007

Working toward more Open Systems Achieving openness has risen as the key driver behind library technology strategies Open source Open API’s Demand for Interoperability Libraries need to do more with their data Ability to improve customer experience

The Shrinking LMS The Library Management System no longer stands as the single library automation product that provides comprehensive support for all aspects of library operations. Many libraries putting much less emphasis on LMS Manages workflows related to physical materials Investments in electronic content increasing Management of e-content handled outside of the ILS

Legacy LMS Model Interfaces Business Logic Data Stores BIB Staff Interfaces: Public Interfaces: Interfaces Business Logic Circulation Cataloging Acquisitions Serials Online Catalog Data Stores BIB Holding / Items Circ Transact User Vendor $$$ Funds Policies

Breaking out of the mold Academic and Research libraries especially struggle with how to deal with managing increasing proportions of licensed electronic content Public Libraries seeking technologies that facilitate engagement with their users: social, interactive, dynamic LMS geared toward print materials New generation of products emerging to address new and emerging library realities

Interoperability Protocols relevant to RFID Standard Protocols for access to item and patron data SIP NCIP Standard Protocols for access to bibliographic data OAI-PMH ILS-DI (Integrated Library System – Discovery Interface) Standard Protocols for access to other data and functionality API’s specific to automation platform Generalized set of API’s

SIP: System Interchange Protocol Initially created by 3M, used widely throughout industry for self-service and other tasks needing access to patron and item data and status in library automation systems. 3M: “Permission is hereby granted to utilize this protocol in hardware and software products but no permission is granted to create derivative works or otherwise modify the protocol” (from ver 2.0 document) Version 1: 1993 Version 2: 2006 Version 3: Draft currently under review

NISO Circulation Interchange Protocol Official Standard designed to operate in the same space as SIP Z39.83 Part 1 approved October 2002; Part 2 Approved Nov 2008 Not widely adopted for self-service More widely used in resource sharing: interlibrary loan and direct consortial borrowing Open source NCIP Toolkit developed and released by the eXtensible Catalog project http://code.google.com/p/xcncip2toolkit/

Application Programming Interfaces Automation products cannot exist in isolated silos APIs provide a set of tools used by programmers to: Extend Functionality Connect external systems Extract or synchronize data Proprietary API’s common in LMS space Moving toward open API’s and Web Services

Benefits of APIs to Libraries Extensibility Interoperability Allows the LMS to connect with other automation components Create a matrix of interconnected systems rather than isolated silos with redundant data and functionality LMS maturity means similar levels of functionality LMS products increasingly differentiated by extent and quality of APIs and interoperability support

Application Programming Interfaces Legacy ILS Model / API ` Staff Interfaces: Public Interfaces: Interfaces Application Programming Interfaces Business Logic Circulation Cataloging Acquisitions Serials Online Catalog Data Stores BIB Holding / Items Circ Transact User Vendor $$$ Funds Policies

Legacy ILS Model / protocol Circulation BIB Staff Interfaces: Holding / Items Circ Transact User Vendor Policies $$$ Funds Cataloging Acquisitions Serials Online Catalog Public Interfaces: Application Programming Interfaces Interlibrary Loan System Protocols: SIP2 NCIP Z39.50 OAI-PMH Self-Check

Legacy ILS Model / External API Circulation BIB Staff Interfaces: Holding / Items Circ Transact User Vendor Policies $$$ Funds Cataloging Acquisitions Serials Online Catalog Public Interfaces: Application Programming Interfaces / Web Services External Systems & Services Flexible Interoperability Protocols: SIP2 NCIP Z39.50 OAI-PMH

LMS as Middleware LMS provides strategic core of automation Less involved with end-user contact Discovery for Web-based collection discovery and user services Self-service stations for loans and returns Smart-card and payment systems

Library Services Platform model Consolidated index Search Engine Discovery Service Search: Digital Coll ProQuest EBSCO … JSTOR Other Resources Self-Check / Automated Return ` API Layer Library Management System Stock Management Enterprise Resource Planning Smart Cad / Payment systems Learning Management Authentication Service

RFID Business Environment

Major RFID Companies 2CQR (UK) 3M Library Systems (also supports Checkpoint) Bibliotheca / Intellident / Bibliotheca ITG Book-Tech (Taiwan) Convergent Software (RFID support software, Validation) D-Tech (United Kingdom) EnvisionWare (diverse product line including RFID) Libramation (Canada) Lib~Chip RFID system Lyngsoe Systems (Sorting systems RFID/Barcode) mK Sorting Systms (RFID / sorting, self-check, etc) PV Supa (Finland, Scandinavia) Shenzen Seaever Inteligent Technology (China – RFID systems) Swisslog Telelift GmbH (book transportation systems) Tech Logic (Owned by TLC) VTLS – Fastrack VTLS division

Consolidation Transition from a fragmented industry of many small players into one where dominated by large global companies Many companies continue to prosper that operate within a region or country

Bibliotheca – Intellident – ITG Three former competitors joint to form new global company Integrated Technology Group – United States Spun off of Vernon Library Supplies Intellident Based in the United Kingdom Ident SAS (French subsidiary) Bibliotheca RFID Systems Based in Switzerland

New Global Company Operates regionally under existing brands Bibliotheca ITG / Intellident / Bibliotheca Global company: Library Solutions BV Majority ownership: One Equity Partners Shai Robkin

Diversification Companies involved in RFID tend to offer diversified products, often to different vertical markets Diverse technologies: RFID, Electromagnetic, software, hardware, manufacturing Different dependencies on suppliers of RFID chips, etc.

3M Library Systems Largest player in RFID and self-service Electromagnetic + RFIC products Major launch into the e-book arena 3M Cloud Library Intends to compete with Overdrive E-book content – licensed through major publishers Integration layer – leveraging SIP and other mechanisms developed in support of self-check E-book reader – developed for institutional lending In-library kiosk for discovery and download

Intellectual Property Issues Patent dispute between 3M and EnvisionWare 3M filed patent infringement suit against EnvisionWare June 23, 2009 United States Patents involved in the suite include: 6,486,780, 6,232,870, and 6,857,568 USPTO ruled 6,486,780 patent awarded to 3M dealing as invalid USPTO review of 6,857,568 still in process Announcement of confidential private settlement on August 12, 2011

RFID Technology Issues

Privacy Issues How much information to encode on tags Identifier only? Additional functionality available with more content Essential to avoid matching materials information with user User data can be read from non-library materials No public search of identifiers stored in tag

RFID Data Encoding Standards ISO Standards published in March 2011 ISO 28560-1:2011 ISO 28560-2:2011 ISO 28560-3:2011 NISO: Proposed that US libraries adopt Section 1 and 2 and develop a national profile

RFID & LMS Can RFID deliver value beyond self-check and AMH? Need enhanced interoperability models Leverage existing standards and API’s in the same way that the ILS-DI protocols provided needed support to connect LMS and Discovery products Provide comprehensive automation model that helps libraries improve service and increase value to their communities

General Observations Industry maturing with larger and more stable companies Increased development of Standards Helpful to the extend adopted Risks of investing in RFID diminishing RFID currently focused on increased efficiency RFID technologies increasingly positioned to support more innovative services

Questions and discussion