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