What is RFID?

RFID is a technology that is expected to replace barcodes. Barcodes identify individual items in a collection using a number sequence that links to a database record. Barcodes are staff intensive, requiring staff to be involved in most patron transactions. Radio Frequency Identification is a way of tracking items using radio waves. Radio waves require no line of sight and are contactless, which has the potential to require no staff/patron contact for many routine transactions.

Tags are placed on each item in the library’s collection. These tags uniquely identify each item similar to a barcode; however, the tags are actually unpowered radio transmitters with an embedded chip that holds information about the item and, in some cases, the patron checking out the book.

This is a very simple explanation of how RFID works. An RFID system consists of a tag that is attached to a library item. This tag houses a microchip with a very small antenna and has data embedded on the chip. A reader with a larger antenna generates electromagnetic, or radio, waves. The small antenna on the tag is tuned to identify and respond to these waves. When the frequency transmitted by the reader matches the tuned frequency of the tag, the tag draws power from the radio waves and broadcasts the tag's saved data. The reader picks up this transmission and sends it on to be converted into useable digital data by the library's Integrated Library System. [2] For a more detailed explanation of how one companies RFID system works see the report produced by VTLS Inc., titled Personal Privacy and Use of RFID Technology in Libraries.