Applying RFID on the basis of the OLIB integrated system at the Gedeon Richter technical library in Budapest

Abstract

The RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) technology – making it possible to follow and identify objects, people and products – will soon be applied on a massive scale in all kinds of electronic systems. Electronic follow-up and the automation of monotonous manual processes will result in a breakthrough similar to the shift from manual labelling to bar code systems. The European Union has set out the directions for research related to RFID technology, the automated reading of identification data of objects, and to the topic of the „Internet of Thing”, representing the next generation of Internet and network applications. The already unified library standards, the introduction of miniature versions of labels, and the fact that RFID products are becoming cheaper thus more affordable for libraries means that thinking about the technology shift in library environment is quite realistic. This paper reports on a collaborative development project carried out by three partners: Gedeon Richt r, a Hungarian pharmaceutical company, ODIN Budapest Ltd, a company providing RFID infrastructure, and IQSYS Computing Ltd. The innovative solutions applied in the project have resulted in valuable experiences and resources for further development.