UHF RFID proof of concept (POC) with open-source ILS at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Libraries
Program: electronic library and information systems
ISSN: 0033-0337
Article publication date: 7 April 2015
Abstract
Purpose
Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) uses different detection technologies and integrated library systems (ILS) at its four libraries located at different sites. Hence, ubiquitous data management system is required in the four libraries to enable real-time data sharing and tracking among the libraries. The paper aims to discuss these issues.
Design/methodology/approach
Proof of concept is used to verify the performance of integration between different detection technologies including barcode, high frequency (HF) and ultra high frequency (UHF) radio frequency identification (RFID) as well as Integrated Library Management Utility (ILMU) and Koha ILSs. Five pilot tests are performed to investigate the speed of the borrowing and returning transactions, the efficiency of security gate to detect non-borrowed items, and the reliability of the ubiquitous data management system.
Findings
The HF RFID technology and the proprietary library system have been used in many libraries. The current study proves that the integration of the UHF RFID technology and the Koha open-source ILS, which is named as Total Open-Source Library Automation Solution, can be a novel solution and can serve as a guide for other libraries.
Originality/value
In the current phase of library data management system, it is common to integrate various technologies in improving the efficiency of the library system. But, the combination of Koha with UHF RFID into a single ILS for intra-library automation system has not been proven. This shows the importance of the proposed proven proof of concept that proves such integration is suitable to be implemented at USM libraries and other libraries.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank Senstech Sdn. Bhd. for sponsoring the pilot tests as well as the USM librarians for their commitment and availability. The authors would like to thank also to the USM Research University grant secretariat and the Malaysia Ministry of Higher Education (LRGS fund) for financially supporting the development of the in-house built EPC Class 1 Gen 2 UHF RFID devices.
Citation
Khor, J., Ismail, W., Md Rashid, M.N., Wan Ismail, A.A., Omar, M.Q. and Mohd Zanal, F.H. (2015), "UHF RFID proof of concept (POC) with open-source ILS at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Libraries", Program: electronic library and information systems, Vol. 49 No. 2, pp. 135-150. https://doi.org/10.1108/PROG-11-2012-0060
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
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