RFID tag is a small microchip label that is put on the book, cd, dvd or any other library material like a sticker on the back cover close to the spine of the book.It is used to print barcode label on one side ( just for data surety and legacy systems) and encode information on the microchip memory bank. It stores information relating to the specific book to which they are attached. The data within a tag may vary from library to library however it generally includes the dewey classification number , isbn number , or other identification code for the book,   proof of ownership, original storage location, loan status and history etc. 

The chip is made up of of an integrated circuit and an antenna and servers as a transponder which enables it to collect the energy in the form of a Radio Frequency (RF) field emitted by a scanner (reader device); When a tag is energized by a radio signal from a fixed position reader or handheld scanner, the tag returns the stored information which is then read by the scanner and decoded. 

KEY BENEFITS OF LIBRARY RFID TAGS :

• RFID scanner does not need line of sight to read information of the tag hence there is no need to scan books to move from thier shelf
• CHEck in or out status can be read and written to tag unlimited times without fail 
• RFID tags serve for both identification of books and security with out extra EM strips 
• RFID tags can be designed in different shapes and sized to siut the library material such as books, cd, dvd tape etc...

RFID EAS Gate is the Security gates used to detect RFID tag that is equipped with EAS (Electronic Article Surveillance) and read the check in or out status of the book off the RFID tag thereby enabling the librarian to institute security on the entrance and exit of the library. Each lane is able to track items of 1 meter or more and would trigger the alarm system when an un-borrowed item passed through them. The alarm will sound and lights on the gate will flash as patron passes through with the library material.

Theft detection is an integral feature of the chip within the tag.  It is a stand-alone technology, which operates independently of the library database.

FEATURES of RFID EAS Gate

• Detect EAS Armed RFID tags
• Support AFI anti-theft figure
• Multi-item detection
• People Counter (In and Out)
• Able to integrate camera with the gate (Optional)
• Able to integrate with Surveillance Station (Optional)

The Librerian Station is  composed of a computer (workstation), RFID reader, RFID antenna, Barcode reader (optional for verification) RFID tag encoder or printer for( bulk tagging); and is used for operations like as issue, return, tagging, sorting and etc. It is loaded with arming/disarming module, tagging module and sorting module. Arming/Disarming module allows EAS (Electronic Article Surveillance) bit inside the tag of the library material to be set/reset so as to trigger/not trigger the alarm of the EAS gate. Checking of EAS  status of library material is easy. The staff puts the item on the reader and click on the view to display the information stored inside the tag and status of EAS. There are also feature of Auto Arming and Auto Disarm.  Auto Arm/Disarm will automatic arm/disarm library material that is within the Reader range.

Together with circulation module from Integrated Library Software, this station is used for the following services:

• Editing and updating of patron’s record
• Add and deleting of patron’s record
• Generate loan history for a particular patrons
• Managing of fines incurred by the patron
• Arm/Disarm of EAS bit inside the library material
• Program of new library material
• Sort item in accordance to their branch and category number

The  Conversion or tagging Station is where books are tagged with RFID tags , and incase of  barcoded books it is the station used to convert barcoded books to RFID Based tagging.  

The conversion station is a self contained station which is made up of the following components:

1. A computer with 13 inch touch screen monitor and a specialized conversion software
2. RFID reader and Antenna
3. RFID tag encoder and label printer (All-in-one)
4. Label dispenser
5. Handheld barcode scanner
6. Operation software

The Patron Self Check station is basically a computer with a touch screen and a built-in RFID reader, plus special software for personal identification, book and other media handling and circulation. After identifying the patron with a library ID card, a barcode card, or his personal ID number (PIN), the patron is asked to choose the next action (check-out of one or several books). After choosing check-out (issue), the patron puts the books on sensor area of RFID reader and the display will show the book title and its ID number (other optional information can be shown if desired) which have been checked out.

The patron then confirms that he has finished the check-out process and a receipt is printed, showing which books have been borrowed and the due date. The RFID tag in the book is EAS off as a result no alarm will go off at EAS gates.

It is also possible to use the station for Check-In (return) of books. Chooses return and then puts one book or a stack of books onto the reader. Patron will receive a receipt. If the books were to be taken through the gate now, an alarm would sound.

One important point for library productivity is that the whole process is significantly less time consuming than with barcode and Electro-magnetic system; therefore long lines are avoided and fewer stations are needed for the same process.

KEY BENEFITS:

To Librarians:

- Speeds up book check-out / check-in

- Frees staff to better service to patrons

- Better space planning

- Increases membership rate

To Patrons:

- Easy to use: books can be read in any orientation

- Reduces queuing time

- Provides patron privacy

- Encourages patrons to come back 

The Shelf Management Solution (inventory system) is the most revolutionary component of the whole RFID based library management system that can reduce the inventory process of library by more than 300%. In our previous projects we actually managed to complete an inventory of a small library of 3000 books with in 10 minutes which use to take about a day. 

The shelf management system or Inventory solution performs two main functions

1. Inventory ( in some libraries referred as stock taking )
2. Search for individual books requested, mislocated or otherwise 

Inventory (stock taking ) is performed by sweeping handheld RFID scanner scanner across the spines of the books on the shelves to gather their identities. In an inventory check situation, the identities collected are compared with the database and a discrepancy report could be generated.

In situations when search function is required, whether for a particular item or an item category, the information is first entered into the handheld RFID scanner from the base station, and when the enlisted book is found on the shelves, a built-in beeper sound to alert the librarian scanning.

This component is IoT enabled smart bin that can read RFID tags on the books and communicate to the system from any remote location to check in a returned book. This offers unprecedented flexibility and convenience of returning library items at anytime of the day, even when the library is closed.

 Once the central system has successfully accepted the return of the book and records are updated then the bin will acknowledge the return of the book and prints our a receipt for the user. in cases where updating of the record of borrowed book is not possible or failed the bin will return the book prompting the user to try again.

KEY FEATURES OF SMART BOOK DROP 

• Smart Book Drop -  Able to reject the proper book to return
• Smart Bin - Protect books from dropping, Alarm when it 80% or 100% full.
• The door is closed when it is processing check in or it is not operable.