RFID and Privacy

http://rurallibrarianwv.blogspot.com/2015/09/privacy-in-libraries-e-rate-cipa.html

In 2003 privacy concerns were raised related to the use of RFID tags. RFID uses low-powered radio transmitters to read data stored in tags that are embedded with tiny chips and antennas. It is said that  these "smart" tags can store more information than conventional barcodes which allow manufacturers to track items.

According to an article published on computerworld.com, "placing RFID tags on consumer products will allow merchants to do location-based tracking  or profiling of customers" according to Beth Givens, director of the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, an advocacy organization in San Diego. Patron privacy in libraries is a touchy subject lately and this is why in 2003 the American Library Association developed guidelines to help libraries create  privacy policies. To read more click here: http://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/statementspols/otherpolicies/rfidguidelines
As privacy issues become more prevalent it is expected that more improvements will be made to the RFID system.

How do you know if RFID is for your library?

As we discuss RFID technology in libraries it's important to consider whether this is good decision or not for your system. According to an article published on publiclibariesonline.org below are a few things to consider when considering implementing RFID in your library system:


1. Anti-Theft - With radio tags on every piece of material RFID is an effective way to catch item that innocently or not so innocently try to leave your building.


2. Inventory Abilities - The radio tags make it easy to know where an item is whether or not it's in the correct place in the library.

http://www.rfidarena.com/2012/11/8/can-rfid-save-libraries.aspx

3. Labor Intensive - The initial outlay of staff costs in having to affix an RFID tag to every item in the library.

4. Materials and Equipment Costs - It's not cheap to convert your library to RFID.

5. Staff Buy-In - If you can convince some staff that an investment in time and labor now will have big returns later.

6. Tech Knowledge - Will you have someone in your building that is tech savvy and can manage the RFID installation?

These things will help you make a decision about RFID. There is also literature about whether this move can actually save libraries. To read more about this you can click the link http://www.rfidarena.com/2012/11/8/can-rfid-save-libraries.aspx .

Citation:

Lyttle, Melanie, Walsh, Shawn. (2013). Does RFID make sense for your library? Public Libraries Online. Retrieved from: http://www.rfidarena.com/2012/11/8/can-rfid-save-libraries.aspx

Improvements to come for RFID

In the past 5 years there have been some major improvements as it relates to RFID. I can highlight many but for this post I will highlight 3 future improvements. In 2010 a blog discussed three major improvements with RFID that I think are still relevant. Those improvements are as follows:

http://www.nx-id.com/web/index.php?lang=es

1. Energy Consumption - One of the reasons energy consumption is so important is the difference between an active tag and a passive tag. There are much fewer active tags in the industry due to battery-powered required for these tags.

2. Multiple tag Scanning - RFID readers get confused when trying to scan multiple tags at the same time. Although there has been a significant amount of improvement there is still a long way to go before RFID can process multiple tags at the same time without delay or confusion.

3. Cost Efficiency - This is the hardest obstacle for RFID to be the must-have for equipment tracking is the price. Due to costly production and maintenance costs, RFID readers and tags are rather expensive. We can look forward to the day when active tags consist of a single circuit, thereby greatly reducing the cost of production.

Citation:

Three Future Improvements of RFID Technology. (2010). Retrieved from: http://blog.fieldid.com/2010/07/3-future-improvements-of-rfid-technology/

RFID Readers



http://www.wholesalesly.com/product/rfid-uhf-library-tag.asp

In 2003 privacy concerns were raised related to the use of RFID tags. RFID uses low-powered radio transmitters to read data stored in tags that are embedded with tiny chips and antennas. It is said that these "smart" tags can store more information than conventional barcodes which allow manufacturers to track items.

According to an article published on computerworld.com, "placing RFID tags on consumer products will allow merchants to do location-based tracking or profiling of customers" according to Beth Givens, director of the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, an advocacy organization in San Diego. In 2003 the American Library Association developed guidelines to help libraries create their own privacy policies. ALA had guidelines specifically related to privacy and confidentiality as it relates to RFID in libraries. To read more about this click here: http://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/statementspols/otherpolicies/rfidguidelines

Citation:

Vijayan, Jaikumar (2003). Use of RFID tags raises privacy concerns. Retrieved from: http://www.computerworld.com/article/2571550/data-privacy/use-of-rfid-tags-raises-privacy-concerns.html

Advantages and Disadvantages of RFID technology

RFID has many advantages and one of the main ones being that it reduces the amount of time required to perform circulation operations. This allows for easier and faster check out time for patrons and staff. According to an article published by the University of Maryland some of the advantages are as follows:

"- Reduction of staff duties
- Reduction of staff injuries
- Reliablity
- Tag life and appearance"

RFID systems frees up staff to work on other duties because patrons are put in a position that they are able to check out their own materials using a self-check out system similar to what is found in grocery stories. It also reduces that amount of staff injuries in that it prevents that number of stress injuries from happening. Stress injuries results from having to flip materials over or hold them at a certain angle so that they barcode can be scanned. Tag life is long than previous systems. it is estimated that the tag life will last for about 10 years.

The disadvantages of the system according to the article are as follows:

"- Reduction of staff duties
- Cost
- Susceptibility of tags
- Big brother and invasion of patron privacy"

Reduction of staff duties fall into both categories because in some instances with the implementation of automation in libraries it may require a reduction in staff in library in some areas which is not always good. Another huge disadvantage is the one of privacy. Privacy invasion has been a popular topic of discussion in libraries. As librarians we are to protect the privacy of the patrons that we serve and with implementation of automation the question of whether patrons privacy still private has become a question. As this technology improves I'm sure that the issue of privacy will continue to be an issue until something is done to confirm the  protection of patrons' private information.

For more information see: http://terpconnect.umd.edu/~segloff/RFIDTest3/AdvantagesandDisadvantages.html

Three Types of Tags

The RFID system is headed off by what is called a tag. A tag is a programmable chip and an antenna. Many libraries are adopting the tag system instead of the old barcode system. According to an article found in the Library Philosophy and Practice Journal, "there are three types of tags: 'read-only', 'WORM' (Write once-read-many), and 'read/write'". Read only tags are not rewritable. WORM tags do not have the ability to rewrite them later. Most libraries however choose the read/write tags because information can be changed or added. Not only did this article highlight certain types of tags but there are also different tags associated with the different types of materials in the library.

Tags such as square tags, credit card tags and donut hub tags which are associated with
books, periodicals, CDs, and DVDs. See photo for more information concerning these tags.

Citation:
Shahid, S. (Fall 2005). Use of RFID technology in libraries: a new approach to circulation, tracking, inventorying, and security of library materials. Library Philosophy and Practice. 8(1). Retrieved from:  http://unllib.unl.edu/LPP/shahid.htm

 



 





Components of a RFID System

RFID can be very overwhelming for those who do not know a lot about it. This post will discuss the fundamental components that required in order for things to work properly. According to Patrick J. Sweeney in his article entitled, "Examining the Elements of a Basic RFID System" he lists that following as the four foundational components in a basic RFID system:

"- A transponder (more commonly just called a tag) that is programmed with information that uniquely identifies itself, thus the concept of 'automatic identification.'
- A transceiver (more commonly called a reader) to handle radio communication through the antennas and pass tag information to the outside world.
- An antenna attached to the reader to communicate with transponders.
- A reader interface layer, or middleware, which compresses thousands of tag signals into a single identification and also acts as a conduit between the RFID hardware elements to the client's application software systems, such as inventory, accounts receivable, shipping, logistics, and so on."

Each component play an important role in the success of the workings of this system. We explore them with the following blogs to better understand how the system works and to under stand the librarians role in all of this.

Citation
Sweeney, P. J. (2015). Examining the elements of a basic RFID system. RFID for dummies. Retrieved from http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/examining-the-elements-of-a-basic-rfid-system.html