A library is a low-cost and convenient place for people to access a wide variety of books for research and leisure. However, the use of a library is not without its challenges. There are some disadvantages to storing books in a library, one being that they can get lost or stolen easily. In addition to this sorting, managing, and distributing the books are also tedious tasks for librarians.
In the past, to handle these problems bar code labels were used in libraries. However, with immense growth in technology, most of the renowned libraries have moved to RFID technology. The radio frequency identification technology has automated several tasks in library management for example book sorting, management, return, and distribution. However, this breakthrough technology has certain limitations, for example, it takes a lot of time when you need to find a specific book from shelves.
So many librarians ask is there any better method than RFID technology?
Well, all is not lost for librarians, there is a solution available that can help them boost and automate their operations. The best product for library management system is the RFID LED tag.
What is RFID LED Tag?
So, the RFID LED Tag which is also commonly known as UHF LED Tag is a radio frequency identification tag with a lightning LED on it. You can easily paste them into your books. When a specific tag came in the range of the reader then it starts blinking. This blinking of the tag makes the location of the book convenient and less time-consuming.
The following are some of the technical features of these UHF LED Tags.
- These tags are passive tags.
- These are lightweight.
- The range of these tags is up to 3 meters.
- Have a long life up to 10 years and more.
- We can read, write and store information on them easily.
- We can identify them easily due to the light-emitting LED on these tags.
All of these features make it a perfect product for books and other material management in libraries.
How RFID LED tags helps better than RFID tags?
The technology behind both of these tags is the same. The difference is the LED which gives an edge over the simple tags when it comes to locating a specific book on shelves of the library. These UHF LED tags are more efficient than RFID tags.
Let us understand the efficiency of these tags with the help of an example. Assume you have a library with three floors and 10,000 books in it. On a specific day, you got a request for 50 books to be issued. In this case, the simple RFID tags will give you the location of the floor and shelve. However, you have to search for the specific book on the shelf by yourself. Which makes this process a bit more time-consuming. However, with LED tags, you can pick the specific book instantly as the LED tag is emitting light. So with the help of these light-emitting tags, you can issue 50 books within the shortest possible time.
However, a major disadvantage of all UHF LED Tags is that they do not have a battery so they cannot be located from a long distance.
What are the components of this breakthrough technology in Libraries?
Library management with the help of RFID LED Tags is easy to implement. It requires four main components that are used in implementing this system.
- RFID Reader
- RFID LED Tags.
- Library database
- Library Management Software.
RFID Reader:
The first component used in library management is the reader. This reader is attached to the RFID Library Management Software and is connected to a computer, tablet or mobile device. It can also be connected to a printer. This reader is used to read the data that is stored on the RFID LED Tags.
RFID LED Tags:
The second component of this library management system is the RFID LED tag. This tag is attached to the book or item that needs to be identified. It stores the ID number on it and emits a signal whenever it is scanned with the reader. This signal is then read by the software and stored as metadata.
Library database:
The third component of this library management system is the library database. This database stores all the information that has been gathered from the UHF LED tags. This information includes the journey of a book, a library using it, how long it has been used, and other important information.
Library Management Software:
The fourth component of this library management system is the RFID LED Software. This software is used for displaying the information in a visual format. With this software, you can easily locate the book on the shelf with the help of the LED light emanating from it.
This Software performs three main functions. These are
i) Cataloging
ii) Managing
iii) Archiving
The first function is used when the RFID LED label is scanned in the library. The second function is used when you are searching for a specific book or other items in the library. The third function helps in managing the entire library efficiently. This function is used to make the library well lit and helps in organizing the books well.
How does this technology work in Library management?
Simply put, in order to use RFID LED technology in library management, the librarian needs to determine which books or other materials can be scanned with RFID technology. Then he/she needs to purchase the device that will be used in scanning the objects. When a person gets to the library, he will be asked to scan his library card. This is to identify him and his borrowing or reading history. After that, you can use the RFID reader to scan for an item and see its details such as book title, author, etc.
What are the benefits of RFID LED Tag management Technology in Libraries?
The following are the major benefits of using RFID LED Tags:
- Searching for a book is much faster than ever before in libraries with the use of lightning LED Tags.
- Libraries have a smooth transition from a paper-based system to an electronic one.
- It will help in making the library more organized.
- Furthermore, it helps in enhancing the library cataloging process.
- It enhances the security of the library. Theft in the library can be reduced to a great extent.
- It is user-friendly and allows any person to search for his/her desired book within a short time of using this technology.
- This technology has automated the process of issuance of books and returning of book to the library.
Conclusion:
Library management has become a piece of cake with the help of RFID LED Tags. This technology is a very useful tool that can be used in many situations. You can improve efficiency and usability of the library and make it more organized. Now, as you know the advantages of RFID LED Tags over simple RFID tags, what are you waiting for? Implement this technology of future in your libraries and enjoy its fruits. If you want to implement this technology in your library, apply our RFID Library Management System and get the best results.
Click here to learn more about RFID LED tag.