The Application of RFID Technology in Smart Libraries

RFID book tags: make libraries smarter, faster and safer

One of the protagonists of this technology is the 13.56MHz HF RFID book tag, which is specially designed for book management. It can be attached to the pages of a book, is not afraid of folding or squeezing, and can be read and written quickly.

How did the library manage books in the past?

In the past, libraries mainly relied on barcodes to borrow and return books, that is, the “black and white bar” label on the back of each book. But this method has many problems:

Books need to be scanned one by one: when you borrow a book, the staff has to scan it manually, which is slow.

Inventory takes time: to count the inventory, the staff has to take out one book at a time and scan it.

Barcodes are easy to break: books that have been used for a long time cannot be scanned if the barcode is worn out.

Poor anti-theft effect: Once the magnetic strip is demagnetized, the book can be easily taken away.

Therefore, many libraries have now replaced the more advanced RFID system.

What is an RFID book tag? What is it used for?

The RFID tag contains a chip and a small antenna that can store information about the book, such as the title, author, ISBN number, etc. After the library puts this tag on each book, it is like electronically registering the book.

Take the 13.56MHz HF RFID book tag we recommend as an example:

The operating frequency is 13.56MHz, which is an internationally accepted standard.

Supports NFC, and mobile phones can also sense and identify.

High sensitivity, fast reading and writing, especially suitable for high-frequency circulation items such as books.

Not afraid of bending, long service life, and sticking it in the pages of a book will not affect reading.

How smart does RFID technology make libraries?

1. Borrowing and returning books is faster
You don’t have to look for barcodes page by page. You can borrow books by just placing the whole book in front of the machine. You can even scan several books at once. It saves a lot of time!

2. Inventory is easier
In the past, you had to take out the books one by one. Now you just need to take a handheld RFID reader and walk around the bookshelf. The system will automatically record which books are where. It only takes a few minutes to complete the work that used to take several hours!

3. Anti-theft is more reliable
RFID tags are hidden in books, and they are not as easy to be found and removed as magnetic strips. If someone wants to steal a book, the RFID antenna at the exit will immediately sound an alarm to protect the safety of the book.