Salina Public Library, Kansas is in the process of retagging more than 260,000 items, as the public library converts its entire catalog to support a new RFID system, according to a local news journal.

Since mid-August, the library staff and volunteers have been upgrading the library’s inventory of books, CDs, DVDs and video games over the outdated barcode system first implemented back in the early 90′s.

The RFID system is an improvement over the bar-code, said Joe McKenzie the library’s director. For one thing, it is a more accurate way of keeping track of the library’s stock, and it also will help reduce the number of items misplaced or lost on the shelf.

With the old system, circulation desk workers or patrons using the self-check system have to open each book, game, CD or DVD individually to scan the bar code and demagnetize the security strip.

By using the RFID system, multiple items can be scanned at one time, greatly speeding up the process of checking out what averages to be about 600,000 items each year.

Read the full story here.