The Right UHF RFID Tags for Libraries: Criteria, Concern and Issues

In the logistics industry, UHF RFID has been widely deployed. Information and guidelines on the selection of the right tags for the different logistics applications are abundant. However, when it comes to the library arena where the use of UHF RFID is just in its infancy stage, such information is relatively scarce and sporadic. While the tag selection criteria for the logistics industry may also be applied to the library field, there are indeed fundamental differences between library business and logistics operation that libraries must take the initiative to formulate their own selection checklist.
In this chapter, the Run Run Shaw Library at the City University of Hong Kong (hereafter the CityU HK Library, or the Library), attempts to share its experience on tag selections based on the research and studies that it has performed in the past few years. The pilot test on the use of UHF RFID in a selected small collection in the CityU HK Library has proved to be successful and the Library is now planning for large-scale implementation of the technology for its entire collection to improve overall service efficiency. As the collection contains over one million items, selecting the right tags that are reliable and sustainable in the long term is crucial. Research and studies in this regard therefore continue through (i) naturalistic evaluation and tests of different tags purchased or borrowed from the suppliers, and (ii) peer discussion with other libraries and UHF RFID practitioners in different occasions such as seminars and conferences and (iii) review of related literature.
By providing an overview of the different criteria, concerns and issues that the CityU HK Library has come across when evaluating different UHF RFID tags, the authors intend to create a momentum for more discussions to go on which for sure will benefit all who are also interested in deploying UHF RFID in their libraries.