1. Prince George Public Library
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Development
Jeff Narver – Library RFID Specialist
July10/09

2. Agenda 1 RFID review 2 Does RFID support your library plan?
3 Customer benefits of RFID
3 Library benefits of RFID
4 RFID in Canadian Libraries
5 One PGPL RFID program
6 Possible PGPL Program roll out

3. RFID is not about the technology, ………………
It is about how the program adds measurable value and productivity to Prince George Public Library organizational structure, processes, policies, staff and customers.

4. Does RFID support your library plan?
Facilitate equitable access to information
Better/ faster access to information
Improve cost effectiveness of library services delivery
Ability to increase and develop new library programs
Provide new branch opportunity

5. How should RFID benefit customers?
Increased attention from library staff
New library programs
A more productive visit to the library: items are where they are supposed to be
Immediate account update upon return of items
Faster, easier checkout
Privacy options with self check
Better data base/collection integrity
Fewer customer complaints
Faster, easier checkout and check-in. A stack of RFID-equipped books can be read and checked out simultaneously, by a librarian or a customer. Because the technology is so easy to use, and so fast, customers are more inclined to serve themselves. Check-in is also much faster and easier with an RFID system. (And if RFID is paired with an automated materials handling system, the productivity gains are dramatic: the system can accept a return, credit the customer’s account, and sort the item for reshelving while the librarian is out on the library floor, helping a customer.)
Increased attention from library staff. With RFID, librarians spend less time handling items—turning them, scanning them, stacking them for customers—and more time handling questions and requests.
A more productive visit to the library. Libraries face an astonishing challenge in keeping track of their resources. They hold thousands—or even millions—of individual items, each one unique, each vitally important to the customer who wants it for a report or because it’s the latest work by a beloved author. With RFID, those items are where they are supposed to be, where customers and librarians can find them. (In the process of converting to RFID, libraries typically get an immediate benefit from the recovery of misplaced books—often hundreds of them—that were thought to be lost.)
RFID benefits staff, too: Job satisfaction goes up and repetitive stress injuries may go down when librarians spend more time helping customers and less time hefting volumes.
Traditionally, the library’s mission has been to provide equal access to knowledge and ideas. Today, communities also expect their libraries to serve a focal point for a range of civic activities, from classes and lectures to art shows and performances. By improving staff productivity and satisfaction, RFID can help libraries fulfill their traditional role while meeting the new and often challenging expectations of customers and boards.

6. How should RFID benefit the library & staff?
Enhance library productivity
Increase speed to shelf/circulation
Reduce “missing” items and improve financial control
Speed in shelf management
Reduction in RSI and WCB claims
Return on the library investment
Time to develop new library programs
Staff satisfaction

7. RFID Libraries in BC Burnaby Public Coquitlam Public Whistler Public
North Vancouver Public
West Vancouver Public
Vancouver Public*
Richmond Public*
Quest University
Squamish Public*
Gibsons & District Public
NVIT Burnaby & Meritt
Justice Library
UVIC Law Library

8. RFID Libraries in Alberta
Edmonton Public
Fort McMurray Public
Spruce Grove Public
Strathcona Country Public
Grande Prairie Public
Hinton Public Library
U of Calgary Military Library
Shannon Public Library
NAIT
Red Deer Public*
U of Regina
Airdrie Public

9. RFID Libraries in Canada
Markham Public
Richmond Hill Public
Waterloo Public
Western University
U of Toronto – Miss
Oshawa Public
Biblioteque National
Hamilton Public
Kingston Public
Brampton Public
Norfolk Public
Vaughn Public
65 Canadian sites
450+ American
200 Europe & Asia
Early adopters, less than 3% of public libraries are RFID
Of the 25 RFID libraries in Western Canada, 23 are 3M

10. RFID Library Equipment
Tags
Workstations
Detection Systems
Conversion Station
Self Checks
Portable Scanner
Returns
Media Banks
Sortation & Conveying
Mini Libraries

11. Core Equipment Total Equipment $102,000 150k RFID Tags $66,000
Detection System $12,000
Workstations $24,000
Total Equipment $102,000
Optional Equipment
1 Conversion Station $ (rental)
1 Self Check $20,000
1 Smart Chute $12,000

12. Program Roll Out Investigate RFID options Develop program assumptions
Draft RFID program objectives & metrics
Develop qualitative and quantitative investment expectations
Design first draft of the program equipment
Finalize RFID program and evaluate options
Finalize budget
Design implementation/roll out plan
Begin tagging and installation
Design communication and launch

13. RFID Program Implementations
Tag collection then buy equipment
Fraser Valley Regional, Shannon
Self Check first then begin tagging
Airdrie, Squamish, VPL, Coquitlam
Branch by Branch
Edmonton Public, Burnaby Public, UVIC
System Wide
Fort McMurray, Whistler,

14. Questions?

15. I Want to Add BPL

16. Other Program Costs (operational)
Planning & Program Research
Trades Work and Renovations
Training & Supervising the Tagging Crew
Tagging Time
Library Staff RFID Training Time
Policy Review and Revisions
Internal and External Communications
Customer Training
Launch and Promotion
SIPS License
Equipment Service (year 2 and beyond)