Conclusion

RFID is a costly system that offers some great advantages over barcodes. Even though the technology still hasn’t matured, the opportunity for immediate and dramatic improvements in customer service and productivity outweigh the negatives.

Improvements in standardization have already occurred, with several additional standards under development. The problems with interoperability have mainly been resolved by most large system providers.

Improvements in tag life expectancy and durability have improved substantially in the past few years.

The issues around privacy are now front and centre with most library associations and the major corporate RFID players. [7] Negative feedback by consumers has forced RFID providers to carefully review their plans and start to develop policies to ensure the future adoption of the technology. Library associations have caused library RFID system providers to consider security as a central part of library implementations.

The concerns outlined on the problems page can mostly be dealt with through careful planning and questioning of providers. Libraries looking at RFID can plan for success by ensuring that the system chosen is scaleable and has interoperability so that the system can go grow with the technology.

The only major drawback is the ease with which the security aspect of the technology can be nullified. However, current electromagnetic systems also provide little in the way of prevention from determined theives.

The benefits of RFID technology cannot be ignored in today’s tight staffing and funding climate.