The experiences of a Library Assistant
From the pilot collection to Auckland-wide compatibility
Below is a podcast on my experiences of RFIDs when they were introduced in Manukau Libraries, then to Auckland Libraries after the amalgamation.Speaker: Zoe Cornelius
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Audio Transcript:
Prior to the Auckland Libraries amalgamation, I was working in Pakuranga Library when Manukau Libraries introduced RFID tags to the collection.
I later moved to a branch in the North Shore, a year into the amalgamation but before RFID had been implemented across the other legacy systems. So I was able to experience the introduction of RFIDs to libraries on two separate occasions. As I was familiar with RFID, colleagues at my North Shore branches approached me for my opinions and advise.
When I was first introduced to RFIDs, the understanding was that RFIDs would replace magnetic tags and do much of the same job as barcodes, with the added ability to check out multiple items simultaneously and to clear up work space with the simplification of equipment.
Branches had people come in to go through the collection, attaching the RFID tags and linking them to the information on the items barcode; this process took about two weeks. While disruptive at the time it smoothed out fairly quickly after that. Library staff were taught how to use the new equipment and what to expect from the new technologies. We also learnt how to tag items to be able to update collection items as they were returned.
After the initial mass instalment of RFIDs, there was a period where returned items were checked and double-checked that they were tagged, and that the tag accessed the correct information for that item.
The RFID readers were hidden beneath existing desks and the bulky magnetising machines were replaced with a compact barcode scanner. This did free up a large amount of desk space. There were initial teething problems, as can be expected when implementing any new technologies. In time, staff learnt the ins & outs of using the RFID system and how to diagnose issues with tags. We became familiar with the technology and comfortable using it, as did the majority of our customers.
The amalgamation in November 2010 meant that our customers would no longer be assured that their requested items would work on our RFID self-check machines. As it would take until mid-2012 for the RFIDs to be established in all Auckland Libraries. So as items came to be shared among all of the Auckland Libraries we had to go backwards a bit of a step to make sure everything worked again until everything came together on a unified system.
In my North Shore branches, I spoke to unsure colleagues of the potential benefits of RFIDs as a library technology and my experience of the change from barcodes to RFIDs smoothed that transition for those people. RFID has been invaluable in allowing collections from multiple legacy systems to 'float' and to be shared. Instead of expecting the customer to search for the placement of a barcode, which is of course different for every library system, the unified system allows for the standard self-check machines in all of our 55 library branches and makes it a lot easier for customers to access a wider range of material.
