Conference
Aug
This year’s main RFID event for UK libraries will once again be held at the Kings Place in London on November 9th. Last year’s event was billed as being the turning point for the technology with a new data standard about to be published, and the entire UK Library RFID market pledged to support the newly minted UK data model. Interoperability issues were finally being addressed and even the system specifications were available free of charge. continue
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Jun
Readers may have noticed that very little has been added to the blog recently! May and June proved an extraordinarily busy time for me and I’m afraid it has been the blog that has been neglected as a result.
So this is a quick catch up on some of the issues, events and activities that have been occupying me since the last post.
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Last Tuesday saw the (for me) long awaited CILIP RFID in Libraries conference at the King’s Place close by King’s Cross station in London. Having been asked by CILIP to put together the programme and open the event I was more than a little concerned that delegates would feel they had received value for money. Beyond this I was hoping for some lively discussion and debate around the whole issue (no pun intended) of RFID use in libraries – specifically UK libraries.
From the comments received it seems reasonable to make the claim that almost everyone felt the conference was valuable and relevant. The number that felt there was too much of a technical nature was balanced by a similar number that felt there wasn’t enough – and that’s about as balanced as one might reasonably expect I suppose!
The word “buzz” was used quite often in tweets and emails received during and since the event and I confess it felt livelier to me than in previous years. Maybe there’s more fear around about the future of the profession?
Certainly there are plenty of libraries seeking to find some kind of salvation in the technology. The desire to invest first and ask questions later was sadly still very much in evidence in some of the conversations I overheard between suppliers and their potential clients. Indeed the first question asked at the end of the first session was “How much will it cost?”
How much will WHAT cost I wondered. An answer would have been possible had the question been about Mars bars or even what model of car to buy, but even then some idea of appetite and function would have helped formulate a response. But not about RFID surely? Having prepared myself to answer anything from “why are there three parts to the standard?” to “why do you believe we need to re-examine communication protocols?” I was at a loss. RFID is a technology not a function. How much it costs depends on what you want to do with it.
From there on however, things improved and we were entertained, provoked and educated in equal measure by some fine presentations from stellar performers. The conference review will appear in the next CILIP Update – don’t miss it!
I hope that everyone understood what seemed to me to be the clear message from all sides – insist on the new data standard to protect your investment if you haven’t yet made the jump to RFID; consider migration if you want to benefit from future innovation if you have already.
Next day I was up early and on my way to Denmark – almost the spiritual home of RFID, at least in Europe. Having kindly been offered the chance to meet the architects of ISO 28560 at the Danish Agency for Libraries and Media, I was fortunate enough to have also been given the opportunity to visit two libraries that have been using the technology for many years.
My first host, at Lyngby, was Poul Tørslev-Thomsen. Despite my arriving well ahead of schedule Poul answered all my questions with great good humour and obvious enthusiasm for his topic. Lyngby had been almost the first library in Denmark to install RFID and had “made all the mistakes” already. Nevertheless, despite the pain of being a real early adopter the introduction of RFID had seen nothing but benefits for the library and its users (who were present in considerable numbers for a Thursday morning!).
During the five years they have had RFID Lyngby has replaced security gates, re-programmed tags and switched self-service units as standards emerged and more choices became available. It was interesting for me to discover that Danish libraries do indeed exercise the freedom of choice that using a common data model has given them – one of the outcomes predicted both at the London conference and in the “RFID Alliance” press release.
Lyngby has invested in self-service in a big way. Their automated sorter has two inputs linking to a single conveyor to which no less than 16 “ergo stack” trolleys are connected. Two of the many self-issue machines were being used by two gentlemen even older than me – evidence of acceptance by the public I think, and security gates, originally designed by one company but now driven by technology supplied by another, protected the exits.
This is the Danish library world so often cited by UK librarians as being the exemplar of transformational technology in action. It is vitally important however to remember WHY this has worked so well for the Danes.
Firstly they have had a common data standard almost from the beginning. The Danish Agency for Libraries and Media advised RFID suppliers that they would not endorse any solution that did not support a common standard. Without this endorsement there was virtually no market, and so the Danish Data Model was born. (If only we had a UK Library Agency….)
Secondly, and perhaps only slightly less important, is the fact that 85% of Danish public libraries use the same Library Management System (a statistic supplied to me by Henrik Wendt at Tårnby – my host on Friday). The Danish public library system already allows the public to borrow and return books wherever they please – a development no doubt made much simpler by a more unified approach to LMS and RFID supply.
RFID has certainly made its mark in Denmark though they still share many of the same concerns as do we, over the efficacy of CD/DVD security (although recent changes in tag design are helping), and neither library I visited used stock management devices (a point repeatedly made in London on Tuesday).
There has also been very little done on developing new interfaces to RFID tags. WG11, the group that brought us ISO 28560, has not been disbanded, partly because its members have seen the potential for the technology to play an even greater role in the modernisation of services through new applications and new communication methods. There was real interest in BIC’s recently announced project to re-examine and re-evaluate SIP, NCIP and web services as means of interacting with RFID.
So with the publication of the data standard in January UK libraries at last have the chance to reap the rewards from which the Danes have benefited these past five years. They also have a chance to work together with our European neighbours to build better systems in the future.
Will they accept the challenge and learn how to make the technology work for us?
Or just ask how much it costs?
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Oct
The following press release from Carolyn Long at the McOnie Agency reached me via a somewhat circuitous route this evening.
Informally I learned some time ago that a statement of this kind was being planned by the UK’s main RFID suppliers some time ago but one company was apparently not co-operating at that point in time so the message has been delayed until now.
It is obviously good news for the UK library community that the main suppliers have seen fit to back up the commitments they made back in January and April (and widely reported on this blog, the UK RFID list and by BIC and CILIP at the time).
It seems a pity that the suppliers felt unable to recognise the huge contribution that BIC, CILIP and the library community have made to this process but we should all rejoice in the news and look forward to even greater co-operation as we move to the next phase of RFIED development. BIC announced today (by an amazing coincidence precisely one minute earlier than this email was sent out!) that the RFID group will meet again early in the new year to review the data transfer protocols driving the new standard.
3M’s announcement follows:-
…………………………………………..
3M joins other major players to support adoption of technology in UK libraries
For the first time in the UK market, an alliance of leading library suppliers including diversified technology company 3M, 2CQR, Axiell, Bibliotheca, D-Tech, Intellident, and Plescon Security Products, have come together to support the ISO 28560 tag data standard and the UK National Profile that relates to how this will be implemented in UK. The soon-to-be-released standard will help Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) take a huge step towards becoming a universally adopted technology in UK libraries.
In forming the Alliance, each member has committed to help deliver ISO-based solutions to the library community and achieve the ultimate goal to make all library items interchangeable between libraries, regardless of the self-service equipment deployed. The benefits of this agreement could be instrumental to the wider public use of library facilities, as the loaning and returning items could be completed at different venues, allowing for much greater flexibility.
The move to form an Alliance has been made possible by the development of the new standard from the global ISO standards body. ISO/DIS 28560 relates to how information is stored on an RFID tag and, as a result, all new tags can be read in the same way, allowing interoperability of disparate self-service solutions.
The agreement is a breakthrough for the use of RFID technology in libraries as it will provide a single standard that every member can work to. The Alliance between these leading vendors demonstrates that although competing at a solution level, they share a common belief in promoting standards and recognise that tagged items should be interchangeable between libraries.
Importantly, for existing customers of the Alliance suppliers, each has committed to supporting their historical customer base with the move to the new standard as and when required.
With the Alliance agreement in place and ISO/DIS 28560-2 setting the standard for all future tags, the next logical step is for libraries to act on this to further improve their services. The development and wider acceptance of RFID is growing at a pace, with the UK now the market leader in the deployment of innovative technology.
Paul Sevcik, Senior Product Development Specialist for 3M and a member of the ISO working group responsible for the standards comments: “The development of the ISO 28560 family of standards is critical to the continued growth of RFID applications in libraries and to providing a return on the library’s investment in RFID. We are very excited about this Alliance and the commitment of the players involved, to make interoperability a reality for our customers.”
Members of the Alliance will be in attendance at the RFID in Libraries Conference, organised by CILIP and sponsored by 3M, which takes place on 10 November 2009 in London.
3M is a leading supplier of technology solutions to libraries. The company offers a wide range of options to suit all libraries, including RFID systems, SelfCheck systems, Tattle-Tape Security technology and applications, detection systems and circulation accessories.
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Oct
Quick update on ISO 28560
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WG11 – the working group tasked with delivering ISO 28560 met in London last week.
As always its deliberations are not published but I hear from reliable sources that the meeting agreed to allow the final stage – voting on the FDIS – to begin in November, closing in mid-January 2010.
Actual publication looks likely to be slightly later since work has to be done to ensure that the final version is both completely understandable, accurate and that most of the likely questions that might arise have been answered through FAQs.
Once the standard is finally published the real work begins. The Germans are already working on compliance and perfomance certification. It is to be hoped that the UK might join that process.
But beyond the perhaps slightly more “technical” issues is the future relationship between RFID and LMS(ILS) systems. One of my regular correspondents puts it this way:
“The LMS – RFID interface needs to be addressed, too. It is no longer about using the bar code number (primary item identifier) as the sole conduit between these systems.”
Whether this conduit – barcode or not – continues to be SIP, or is replaced by a newer technology (as I suspect it will HAVE to be), will be discussed by the next BIC/CILIP RFID Technical Committee.
Before that of course we have the chance to start the debate at CILIP’s RFID in Libraries conference in London next month.
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Sep
This has been a curate’s egg of a week. Good responses to my presentation at NAG with several people telling me that they plan to adopt data standards as soon as it’s available. Even better was the news that at least two RFID companies are developing solutions to migrate existing customers.
But on the other hand…
… three bids from major public and academic libraries have been issued or awarded in the last few weeks – none of which even mention data standards. This week’s debate on the RFID list has been about whether or not we need barcodes with one post suggesting that there is general agreement that only the barcode number should appear on RFID tags. Sez who I wonder?
Certainly not the RFID companies. They have all been busily creating their own versions of what should be on RFID tags for years now (and who can blame then?). The data models they have created in the process are very varied (ask any servicing company). Some contain masses of redundant data, some have been deliberately encrypted to prevent any other company from reading them, most (but not all) contain the barcode ID and not much else. There are quite a range of options to choose from. Or you could of course build your own data model from scratch.
Or you could decide that using a standard data model might be a better option. That way you might just be able to use your tags again should you decide to change suppliers. Or but equipment from somebody other than your first RFID supplier (without all that worrying re-programming). Oh and save your servicing company (and yourselves of course) some money by using the same model.
Incidentally that doesn’t mean that you have to use the same fields or the same data as everyone else. There’s plenty of scope for innovation for you and your supplier using a common data model. Don’t let anyone tell you RFID solutions are more flexible without one – it simply isn’t true.
The more enlightened (and those with some R & D resource in the UK) LMS companies are beginning to explore how they might make better use of intelligent stock – especially in the procurement process. In the Far East they are already designing systems entirely based on RFID – rather than “bolting on” the technology. This year’s RFID conference in London will be trying to anticipate what changes we might see as UK use of the technology finally catches up with the very simple idea the Danes had so long ago. “Why don’t we all work together on this one?”
What a pity so many libraries are still ignoring the standard.
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Aug
Very much looking forward to this year’s conference! Interesting to see some of the new sponsors for this year’s event include manufacturers as well as solutions providers. With full interoperability finally beginning to look achievable might we expect this trend to continue?
What will the RFID market look like in a post ISO 28560 world? Will libraries continue to buy their RFID solutions in the same way as they buy their LMS systems – all from the same supplier – or will RFID companies divide into hardware and software providers? Or specialise in particular areas of operation?
LMS providers, at least those on this side of the pond, are also beginning to engage with the full potential of the technology. Axiell, TALIS and Civica have all been talking recently about working more closely with the RFID market and hopefully all three (and more) will attend this year’s conference. The dialogue between LMS and RFID suppliers seems to have finally begun in earnest, something that will ultimately benefit all library stakeholders.
If you have done something amazing with RFID over the last year don’t forget to let CILIP know. There is an annual award for outstanding work in RFID made by CILIP and nominations are invited on their website.
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May
3M have advised BIC (who have advised me) that they would prefer to see element 7 included in the UK National Profile. Paul Sevick expressed his view that with the possibility of libraries lending new types of media in the future the ONIX format offers the most flexible option.
The other members at the April 27th meeting had agreed in advance to accept whichever of the three elements 3M wished to recommend so the UK National Profile now looks like this:
Data Elements
1. Primary item identifier
Mandatory in library usage (optional if the profile is being implemented earlier in the supply chain)
In the library context the primary item identifier will normally be an existing barcode number.
2. Content parameter
Mandatory in 28560-2: the OID index, (OID is the abbreviation for Object Identifier) – in effect a list of data elements present on the tag.
3. Owner library (ISIL)
Mandatory as defined by ISO 15511
4. Set information
Conditional. Where an item is comprised of multiple components the element will be mandatory. Absence of data will indicate a single item.
5. Type of usage
Optional. Where used the values defined in Annex B of the draft standard – included at the end of this document – to be used.
6. Shelf location
Optional.
7. ONIX media format
Optional.
8. MARC media format
Excluded
9. Supplier identifier
Optional. Annex C of the draft standard suggests that this should be a national list regulated and defined by some national authority – BIC were nominated or this role in the UK.
10. Order number
Excluded.
11. ILL borrowing institution (ISIL)
Optional as defined by ISO 15511.
12. ILL borrowing transaction number
Excluded.
13. Product identifier GS1
Excluded.
14. Local data A
Optional.
15. Local data B
Optional.
16. Local data C
Optional.
17. Title
Optional. Although viewed as primarily a supply chain element 3M requested its inclusion as they use this data in many of their existing implementations.
18. Product identifier local
Excluded.
19. Media format (other)
Excluded.
20. Supply chain stage
Optional.
Valid codes:
16 Manufacturer
24 Publisher
32 Distributor
48 Jobber
64 Library
21. Invoice number
Excluded.
22. Alternative item identifier
Optional. May contain another identifier as deemed necessary. The only item that was at all contentious. Decision (by show of hands) was to include it as optional.
23. Alternative owner library
Excluded.
24. Subsidiary of an owner library
Optional. Was seen as essential to the future development of consortia.
25. Alternative ILL borrowing institution
Excluded.
As we move toward the acceptance of both ISO 28560-2 and a UK National Profile for library operations the foundations for the future development of RFID use in libraries begin to look more solid!
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Apr
CILIP’s website and blog promoting this year’s RFID conference are now up and running! After meeting with John and Joan we are now very close to finalising this year’s agenda which will, I hope, have something to offer both for those unfamiliar with the technology and existing users looking for new ideas. It will, as ever, be the main event for everyone involved in this exciting technology in what looks to be a milestone year.
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Mar
2009 CILIP RFID Conference
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Just heard from John Woolley that this year’s conference will be held on Tuesday 10 November, and the venue is the King’s Place, which as well as conference facilities is the home of the Guardian and Observer newspapers. This high-quality facility opened just five months ago and is situated 150 metres from King’s Cross and St Pancras Stations. Its main entrance is on York Way beneath a distinctive undulating glass façade which is visible from the York Way exit of King’s Cross Station. Please click on the links for details of the conference facilities and a location guide.
Have received a great deal of very useful feedback from LIB-RFID members as well as via email and ‘phone and will be meeting with CILIP in two weeks’ time to finalise the agenda.
Make sure you keep Tuesday 10th November clear in your diaries!
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