RFID Technology Streamlines Library Operations
End user: Farmington Community Library
System: Automatic Data Collection system using Codabar barcodes and RFID tags
Benefits: 40% faster checkout times and reduction in manual work
 Overview
With the local population at nearly 1 million and continuing to grow, Farmington Hills library, Detroit , is faced with both a physically expanding library situation and an increasing circulation of books, without a comparative increase in staffing funds.
Issues: 2 Systems
The library's Director, Beverly Papai had to find a way to speed up the book checkout system without increasing her staffing costs. Seeing the tremendous gains in material handling in the industrial sector from using radio frequency (RF) tags, which require no line of sight, she felt libraries should also be able to benefit from it. Moving to a totally new system however was not an option, as books would have to be shared with other libraries in the area. A system had to be introduced which also allowed the old barcode system to coexist.
Solution: Combining Barcodes and RFID
 To resolve the issue, Farmington Community Library instituted an integrated Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID) tag and barcode system using a dozen SATO printers. "If employing new technology can change what the staff is required to do so that we can maintain or slightly increase staffing, then I have spent my money well". said Papai.
Tri-State Tape & Label worked with Leeming Management Systems, and others to set up the system, integrating barcode and RFID readers with the library's existing database.
 First, the old barcode label in each book was scanned to pull up data associated with that book. Then the book's new RFID tag was read, adding its pre-programmed number with the book's database information and old barcode number. Simultaneously, reading the tag instructed the SATO CL408 printer to produce a new barcode label with the RFID tag number shown in Codabar symbology and human-readable characters. Tri-State sales manager George Righter chose the SATO printer for the job because its "user friendly", "durable", "and the price is right too".
The label is lastly manually affixed over the RFID tag on the inside cover. Difficult to remove, this barcode label not only disguises the chip, but also allows books to be exchanged between different facilities, who are still using a barcoded checkout. At Farmington however, when a clerk passes a book over the RFID reader, it reads the tags and turns it off, to allow the book to pass through the exit reader. Simultaneously the library's inventory is adjusted to recording the item as checked out, to whom, the date and when it is due back.
Benefits
The new project has reduced checkout times by 40%. Library workers do not have to open and close books and read the barcode with a scanner. They just move the book over a pad. This movement is smoother, faster, very efficient and very accurate.
The benefits also extend in the future. Plans to expand the RFID system to cover inventory control and book returns exist, "totally eliminate manual check in and sorting of books" says Papai.
For more information on our RFID printer click here
SATO Your RFID Solutions Partner leaflet
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