Welcome to my new awesome blog! This is starting out as a blog for my IRLS class at UA, but we'll see how long I can keep at it!
Our first topic is RFID and how they are used in libraries.

What is it? 

RFID is radio frequency identification, according to the readings this is the latest iteration of IFF technology, a wartime technology developed to determine if an aircraft in flight was friendly or enemy (IFF stands for Identification, Friend or Foe) where each plane carried a device which, when “pinged,” would give out a signal at a specific frequency, where the planes of the Allied air forces had chosen a predetermined frequency to identify their friendlies and all aircraft that did not “check in” at that frequency were immediately targeted by air defense. Likewise an item bearing an RFID tag will also ping back to a reader which can determine where the item is and check what that object is.

RFID consists of three parts, the tag, an antenna and a reader. In library use, the tag is generally an inert object (although there are RFID tags that are “active,” but more costly) that responds to the reader. The antenna is attached to the tag and catches the signal from the reader. The reader sends out signals, which are caught by the antenna and reads the ping-back and determines what that item is as well as where it is.

Above we see the components of the tag unit. The actual tag is the tiny part on that white background in the center. The labyrinth-like spirally square is the antenna.

How is it used in libraries? 

It is used to track assets and inventory, be they books or equipment in a manner that could not be dreamed about two decades ago. RFID gives libraries the following capabilities: circulation management, staff processing, shelf management readers, theft deterrence gates, self-checkout and return drops as well as sorting stations.

What is the expected impact of this technology? 

The amount of labor saved as well as the mode of inventory control means that some degree of RFID will be ubiquitous in libraries in the near future. RFID provides libraries with productivity gains while enhancing customer service. It will streamline acquisition, cataloging, shelving, checking out, checking in, inventorying and re-shelving physical materials.