RFID and Automated Storage/ Retrieval System (ASRS) Lorraine Lazouskas Chicago State University
Morial Convention Center Room 280/281 New Orleans 1:30-3:30pm June 24, 2006
Contact Information
The Chicago State University Library Lorraine Lazouskas llazousk@csu.edu
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Bio Info
• Lorraine Lazouskas is currently the Head of Cataloging at Chicago State University. She received her MLIS from Dominican University (River Forest, Il.) and has 13 years experience as a professional librarian and over 15 years experience as a paraprofessional in the field of library and information science. Her experience includes access services, cataloging and reference services. Her research interests include technological advancements in the field of library science, information literacy and the psychology of the work place.
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Chicago State University (CSU) uses ASRS
• Chicago State University’s new library will open in August 2006. The new library will use an automated storage and retrieval system (ASRS) and RFID technology. • In 2000, the Dean of the CSU library decided to use ASRS for the new building.
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Chicago State University (CSU) uses the RFID
• At the same time, the Dean decided to use RFID as the solution to labor intensive circulation, and stacks management.
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Why ASRS?
• Space is one of the most valuable commodities in modern libraries. • Most libraries use off-site storage for less used materials - labor intensive manual storage and retrieval. • Some libraries use compact shelving.
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Why ASRS? - 2
• When Chicago State University (CSU) started building the new library, the Dean of the library decided to use ASRS as the solution to pressing storage needs and accessibility challenges.
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Advantages of Using ASRS
• ASRS provides seven times the storage capacity per square foot of conventional shelving. • ASRS is the most cost-effective, highdensity storage option available for library materials.
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ASRS Capacity
• CSU library implemented HK Systems 750 mini-load system which has been used in academic libraries since the late 1980’s. • CSU library ASRS has two 134 foot aisles • Each aisle has 48 bays and 33 levels for a total of 6336 bins.
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Long range storage planning
• The bin size is 2’ x 4’ x 1’ containing 96 volumes. • The bin weight capacity is 350 lbs. ASRS storage is up to 608,256 volumes. • Each bin has a permanent location within a specific aisle, and each aisle has its own robotic crane which retrieves and restores bins on command (Cogan & Bullard, 2000). • The bin has a label with a permanent address – a combination of aisle/bay/tier numbers. 0200323 = aisle 2/bay3/tier23.
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Libraries using both the RFID and the ASRS
• UNLV – University of Nevada at Las Vegas • UNLV uses both RFID and ASRS, but only using RFID on open stack books. • RFID is not used for ASRS collections.
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Shall CSU Apply RFID to ASRS Collections?
• Yes, the Dean of the CSU Library said in 2000.
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Applying RFID to ASRS – good…
• No retrospective RFID conversion for the ASRS collections in future. • If not use RFID at the ASRS initial loading, you may consider to apply tags when collections on stacks are moved to ASRS.
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Applying RFID to ASRS – bad…
• • • • • High start-up cost; Complicated with three interfaces – ILS/RFID/ASRS; Not many RFID vendors have ASRS experiences; Metal bin interference with RFID tags; Not all items have tags; such as archive materials and music materials; • Possible interference of ASRS, RFID and wireless, such as cell phone message is not clear in the ASRS room.
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Applying RFID to ASRS – and the ugly
• RFID scanner cannot pick the requested items. The scanner reads range 6 inches, i.e. not specific item requested. • The RFID material handling system (MHS), also called sorter, is installed in the ASRS room.
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Integrated Library System (ILS) and ASRS
• CSU Library’s ILS is Voyager. • Endeavor offers the interface to the ASRS as an additional module – ARS module (with fees and annual maintenance cost). • In addition to the ARS module, a script called Add-ARS-Item is needed for initial data loading and location change in the Voyager.
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ILS and ASRS
• The ASRS system is linked to Voyager’s database. • The ASRS retrieves bins to the operator’s workstations in response to item requests received from the Voyager user. • Requests can be entered by the operator within a few minutes, according to the ASRS vendor HK Systems.
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ILS and RFID
• Libraries may use one of two interfaces to RFID– Standard Interface Protocol 2 (SIP2) and NISO Circulation Interchange Protocol (NCIP). • Microsoft RFID team dedicates themselves to the standard RFID middle ware.
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ASRS and RFID
• ITG is CSU’s RFID vendor. • ITG created a middle ware that links RFID to ASRS. • At the ASRS workstation we can use the RFID instead of bar code.
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Summaries
• • • • • • • • • ASRS and RFID in CSU Library Why ASRS? Advantages of Using ASRS ASRS capacity Long range storage planning Libraries using RFID and ASRS Applying RFID to ASRS collections-Good, bad, and ugly Integrated Library System (ILS) and ASRS ILS, ASRS and RFID
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Reference
• Cogan, S. & Bullard, R. (2000). The automated retrieval collection at Bruce T. Halle Library. Library Hi Tech, 18 (2), 142143.
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Thank you!
• Resources
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RFID Journal (http://www.rfidjournal.com/) - News and articles covering RFID technology. RFID Journal LIVE (http://www.rfidjournallive.com/) - RFID Journal annual industry conference. RFID manufacturer (http://www.tagsys.net/) RFID manufacturer (http://www.ti-rfid.com/) ECPglobal (http://www.epcglobalinc.org/) RFID World events (http://www.rfid-world.com/) - Source for information, education and resources to aid in your understanding of RFID technology and solutions. RFID vendor (http://www.integratedtek.com/) RFID vendor (http://www.vernlib.com/) RFID vendor (http://www.3m.com/) RFID vendor (http://www.bibliotheca-rfid.com) RFID vendor (http://www.libramation.com) RFID vendor (http://www.vtls.com) RFID vendor (http://www.checkpoint.com) Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/) – Free encyclopedia. Resolution on Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Technology and Privacy Principles (http://www.ala.org/ala/oif/statementspols/statementspolicies.htm#rfid))
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