Like other institutions, libraries are adjusting to changing times. The Riverina Regional Library (RRL) in Australia, for example, is using RFID tags to optimize management of its expanding collections. The technology is also improving library efficiency and customer service by freeing staff to spend more time with patrons.
RRL serves some 107,000 constituents across 9 local government areas, making it one of the biggest regional library services in New South Wales. The library is known for its range of service and technology innovations, participating in statewide projects and policy development.
New Roles Require New Technology
RRL’s key objective has been to shift from a traditional collections focus to a client-outcomes view. Staff have noticed that patrons increasingly see the library as a central point for information programs, online access, and social inclusion through initiatives such as children’s storytime, book clubs, and support for community learning strategies. By investing in RFID technology, the library has been able to redirect its efforts to achieve better customer service.
RRL is using the Smart Library™ RFID system, developed by FE Technologies, with RFID tags from UPM Raflatac. With the library choosing to outsource its entire process of ordering, cataloguing, tagging, and bar coding, the Smart Library™ system has been customized to ensure all new items are shelf-ready, thereby eliminating a huge amount of manual work.
Challenging Environment
“UPM Raflatac RFID tags were chosen because they are subjected to rigorous testing to ensure outstanding quality and performance in a challenging library environment,” says Edward Lu, Sales and Marketing Director, Asia. “Each RFID tag is given a lifetime warranty to ensure seamless operations with FE Technologies’ Smart Library RFID system.”
RRL chose to implement RFID software and hardware first at its Wagga Wagga City Library branch, which serves 57% of the group’s constituency. Now the technology is being introduced at an additional 10 branches.
“With their lifetime guarantee, high-quality manufacture, and ISO compliance, UPM Raflatac RFID tags integrate seamlessly with the Smart Library™ RFID system,” says Robert Reed, CEO, FE Technologies.
The tags’ significant memory size also enables them to store detailed item data, making asset identification more accurate for library staff.