A BARCODE ON STEROIDS

“A barcode on steroids”: RFID at the Edmonton Public Library Adrienne Brown Canty ~ Edmonton Public Library Canadian Library Association Conference May 24, 2008 RF? NOT: – Really Frightful! – Relatively Freaky! – Remarkably Fearsome! The Alfie slide: what it’s all about Information storage/retrieval Microchip and antenna Data: identifier, security Read by passing through RF field – Wireless – Contact-free – Orientation-independent Basic RFID components Label – Microchip – Antenna Reader, sensor Perspective = = = = Everyday RFID Pet microchips Gas station “speed passes” Building entry systems Automobile entry/ignition Toll roads/bridges Mass sports events Public transit How it works Data – 13.56 MHz – ISO 15693, 18000 Passive Proximity New way of same-old, same-old Chip data (libraries) Unique identifier Security bit Space for rent? Security Off at checkout, on at checkin Goodbye, deer in the headlights? Goodbye, false alarms? Goodbye, locking cases? Known issues Metal content Data content Controversy Eavesdropping Identifying information Personal documents Viruses/malware “Spychips” Why RFID at EPL? Growth – – – –  city population  library visits  library circulation  public demand for value-added services Need to –  staff visibility – Work smarter – Automate what can be automated Components EPL selected Tags Readers Security gates Handheld units Self-check stations Automated check-in Automated sorting Readers Security gates Handheld units Self-check stations Software: Circulation Software: Conversion Project goals  self-service options  customer independence  customer privacy  F2F time with customers  value-added services  speed to locate items (inventory) Immediate check-in Project goals, cont’d.  check-in errors  lineups & time spent in them –  staff-handled transactions –  time per transaction  invisible staff, invisible tasks  physical handling of items  staff soft-tissue injuries Ground rules No “unstaffed circulation desk” No pink slips Jobs will change EPL process Organizational support Investigation team Funding Business case RFP Vendor evaluation – On paper – In situ: Proof-of-concept testing Vendor selection Implementation Business case Background Project Description Strategic alignment Environment analysis Alternatives Business & operational impacts Project risk assessment Cost/benefit analysis Conclusions & recommendations Implementation strategy Review & approval process Request for Proposal General description of project Background information Mandatory 2-day site visit Evaluation criteria Specifications Specification categories General Server and hardware Security gates Staff PC workstations Conversion stations (tagging) Self-check stations Self check-in stations with sorter Handheld unit RFID tags Errors QA & system acceptance Training Support & documentation Warranty Upgrades / expansion / development Equipment/supplies Timelines Other Weighted evaluation criteria Value % Criterion 10 10 10 25 20 20 20 15 15 7 Firm or individual’s qualifications 7 Relevant experience and references 7 Comprehensiveness of response 17 Response to requirements 13 Total cost of ownership (TCO) over 5-year period 13 Project schedule 13 Impact on Library operations 10 Training 10 Support/warranty 5 3 Value-add & other relevant information 150 100 Total Proof-of-concept testing Software for components 20 book tags 20 CD/DVD tags 10 videocassette tags 20 tag boosters (if required) 1 conversion station 1 transponder for staff workstation 1 set of two security gates 1 handheld scanner/inventory wand Implementation “Rolling stages” Branch-by-branch – Tags – Security gates – Admin stations – Self-check stations – Automated return/sorting Managing the project Project Sponsor Representative Project Owner IT Project Coordinator Rotating team membership Tagging Supervisor Taggers Tagging 15 months (original estimate: 12) Team of ±10, plus supervisor >50% (4 of 16 branches) by 8-month mark >66% (7 of 16 branches) in 11 months Flywheel experience “Unexpected trees” Videocassettes Metallic covers Metallic hub tags Multiple-item processing Tagging backlog Receiving and storage procedures No current item inventory (“Lies, damned lies, and statistics”) After-the-fact weeding HR issues Getting the word out Mascot: the Macintosh model Staff meeting visits – RFID in Libraries DVD (2004) Regular newsletter column Yip! Intranet resource centre Newsletter Intranet resource centre Progress chart Express Check uptake Cue the patriotic music… Questions? Adrienne Brown Canty Manager, Strathcona Branch Library 8331 – 104 Street NW Edmonton, AB T6E 4E9 Voice: (780) 496-3953 Fax: (780) 496-1451 acanty@epl.ca