Chapter 2: RFID Costs, Benefits, and ROI
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5860/ltr.48n5Abstract
Chapter 2 of Library Technology Reports (vol. 48, no. 5) “ RFID in Libraries: A Step toward Interoperability” discusses the costs and benefits associated with RFID, which can be a fairly expensive technology. RFID requires purchasing tags and placing them in every item in the library’s collection. In addition, many hardware components need to be upgraded to work with RFID systems. However, there are also several benefits. This chapter spells out the specific costs and benefits and provides guidance for how to evaluate the return on investment.
References
() Karen Coyle and Elena Engel studied California RFID implementations and developed a protocol for establishing ROI but recommended doing so with ten years’ worth of data, which was unavailable at that time (2006). More information available at Karen Coyle, "California State Library Study on RFID and Return on Investment," Karen Coyle’s Home Page, nConnie K Haley, Kathleen Degnan, Kathleen Haefliger, () “Library RFID Technology Update,” December 9, 2008, nJeff Narver, () “Top 10 Reasons Why Canadian Public Libraries Implement RFID,” 3M website, February 2007, nElena Engel, () “RFID Implementations in California Libraries: Costs and Benefits,” July 2006, Karen Coyle’s Home Page, n Redefining the Academic Library: Managing the Migration to Digital Information Services () viii, n“Juiced” barcodes in the current vernacular.n ()
RFID in U.S. Libraries
, Recommended Practice of the National Information Standards Organization, NISO RP-6-2012 (Baltimore, MD: NISO, March 2012), 1, nMick Fortune, () Why Do Libraries Invest in RFID?—Part Two of This Year’s Survey,” RFID—Changing Libraries for Good? (blog), March 5, 2012,n () The US Data Profile document (see note 7 above) reports tagging speeds “approaching 500 items per hour with two-person teams.” A 3M study found customers using their conversion stations tagged 400 items per hour (per team). See “3M RFID Systems Deliver ROI for Libraries,” n () The companies providing tagging services at this time include Backstage Library Works (www.bslw.com), RFID Library Solutions (n
