RFID

I didn't know much about RSS and I knew practically nothing about RFID before this class and I think its just about the coolest thing I have read about yet in library school so here goes...

RFID, or Radio Frequency Identification, is a device (called a tag) that is attached to an item which consists of a circuit or computer chip and an antenna. A reader, which is a radio transmitter sends a signal that activates the tag. The tag then sends out a response, usually a unique identifier, like a barcode, and the reader receives the identifier and processes it. It usually looks up the identifier in a database to see what the item is and in the case of a library material, if it can be checked out.
The most common RFID technology is to store a serial identification number and other information for a person, or object on the RFID tag or transponder. The antenna in the RFID tag enables the RFID tag to transmit the information to a reader. The reader then converts the radio waved received from the RFID tag into digital information and passes it to computers which process the information.
S
o what does this mean in terms of libraries? From what I can gather, libraries can use RFID for library materials and books instead of using barcodes. Some of the advantages of RFID are that the tag does not have to be on the outside of the book. The orientation doesn't matter, so if you scan the book at an angle the tag still registers. You can scan multiple books at once and the tag can work as a security device. RFID is very customer friendly for libraries as it enables faster checkout and check-in. It can reduce the time spent on circulation activities and allows for high speed inventory and automated materials handling. It also has a long tag life and can control losses and most importantly, improve customer access. Since RFID has the potential to streamline library operations through non-contact inventory management it kind of eliminates a middle man as it would help cut down on library tasks. RFID technology such as "smart shelves" the library shelving can tell a librarian or patron whether a book is on the shelf or not. Wasted time spent searching for a missing book would be gone!

The social impact of RFID varies from how it could be used. If RFID tags are used for human implants to track certain people, hmmm, major social impact, some scary Big Brother stuff going on and certain rights and freedoms would be limited. RFID also could infringe on privacy rights if it is used to tag items bought with credit or debit cards and people could then track others' credit card purchases. Obviously, privacy is the biggest issue with RFID tags since they can be read from a distance. RFID may allow activities that compromise privacy and acts of digital vandalism. However, I don't think RFID would present a major privacy issue in libraries since no patron data would be stored on the RFID tag. By increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of library operations, particularly circulation, RFID could impact customer access and get materials and information to people more quickly and easily.