Westerville Public Library has made the process of checking out and returning Books easier for everyone, by installing a radio frequency identification system (RFID).
The system keeps track of all the items in the library—and there are almost 300,000 of them—with a chip. The library’s executive director, Don Barlow, says the chip doesn’t require a direct line-of-sight the way a barcode does, so it is possible to check out multiple items at once. Members can also borrow DVDs and CDs without opening the cases.
Barlow revealed that the library has been considering RFID for about 10 years, but at that time the chips were approximately $1-$1 .20 each, making the idea impractical. Chips today cost about 13¢. According to Barlow, the entire project, including equipment, chips, and installation, cost approximately $300,000. He says the expense was well worth it, since it has streamlined the library’s operations.
Barlow said the system frees employees from routine tasks so they are more able to help patrons. He says employees are adjusting quickly to the idea of no longer having to sort and check in items by hand, having already undertaken plenty of manual work during the five months they spent putting the tags on all the library’s media.
Facilities like these can benefit by working with postcard printing companies, which can create mailers informing residents of these kinds of improvements.
Get a Free Quote for Books
