Week 6: RFID

The discussion about RFID (radio frequency identifier) has been touched upon in several classes this semester.  Like any new technology it is met with some apprehension in the library setting.  Cost/risk analysis as well as privacy issues seem to be the two points of concern.  In the article included in this week's reading "Management of RFID in libraries, from the Journal of Academic Librarianship by Karen Coyle, she discusses the merits of RFID in libraries. 

The role of RFID in libraries seems to focus on two areas of functionality: security and inventory.  Unlike barcodes that have to be within the sight of the reader, RFID can be scanned while embedded in an object, in this case a book.  This already presents a greater efficiency and usability. With security Coyle (2005) argues that though it doesn't present anything revolutionary it is not necessarily worse either; it maintains the same level of security already present in libraries.  It's merits come with what else it can provide in addition to security.  Because RFID has an ability to hold information it can also provide libraries a way to store book information, record it's location within the building or track the book through the return process.  I believe as the technology is embraced by libraries the use for RFID will only grow, allowing for a more efficient system that can be to the benefit of an already tight budget.  

Though Coyle mentions the fully automated check-out system that RFID can provide,  as tempting as that may sound I believe having a duel system is more ideal, specifically self check-out and a staffed check-out.  With RFID still being developed, with unknown limitations and high cost of changing systems, this allows the library to start to move into the future of new technologies without leaving the older more familiar system behind.  

As a side note the two article via wikipedia covering networks was both informative and eye-opening.  I was happy to see technological terms I was familiar with and have come into contact with (LAN, ethernet, and wireless technologies used in cell phones and wi-fi networks), though I was unclear about some of what was discussed I look forward to getting clarification in class.