New Orleans library gets RFID-tagged book donation
27 June, 2006
category: RFID
Perhaps no city’s more deserving of generosity than New Orleans.
And as such, one of the city’s most prominent libraries is getting a boost, RFID style.
American RFID companies TAGSYS AND Integrated Technology Group (ITG) have teamed up to donate fully automated, item-level RFID infrastructure to New Orleans Public Library in the city’s Bywater neighborhood. The branch was destroyed in the Hurricane Katrina disaster, nerly one year ago.
The news coincides with one of the first post-Katrina conventions in New Orleans – the American Library Association’s annual conference.
TAGSYS AND ITG Donate Fully Automated, Item-Level RFID Infrastructure to New Orleans Public Library
Donation aids in library rebuilding efforts following Hurricane Katrina disaster.
Cambridge, MA (PRWEB) June 26, 2006 – TAGSYS, the global leader in item-level RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) infrastructure, and Integrated Technology Group (ITG), an established developer and provider of cutting-edge library RFID systems, have combined forces to donate a fully-automated, item-level RFID infrastructure to the Alvar branch of the New Orleans Public Library located in the Bywater neighborhood of New Orleans. The branch, which was completely destroyed in the Katrina disaster, will officially reopen its doors on Sunday, June 25, 2006 in conjunction with the American Library Association (ALA) Annual Conference.
The fully automated RFID system from TAGSYS and ITG offers the New Orleans Public Library staff a more accurate and efficient way to track books, CDs, periodicals, and other media. It includes 25,000 item-level RFID tags, two security gates, a staff station, and a self checkout station. With the new system in place, patrons will have the ability to borrow and return items completely on their own, without the need for staff assistance.
“We can’t afford to simply replace what was in place prior to Katrina,” said Bill Johnson, Director of the New Orleans Public Library. “We need to build a state-of-art urban public library system that is smarter and more user-friendly than what we had. The ability to manage our collection, which is represented by this RFID system, is an important step in that direction. We are grateful to ITG and TAGSYS for this generous contribution.”
“We would like to congratulate the city of New Orleans for building a new library system that features enhanced facilities and technologies to better serve the community,” said Elie Simon, CEO of TAGSYS. “We hope this RFID infrastructure will help ease the administrative burden of the library staff and provide greater accessibility for its patrons.”
Traditionally, libraries have relied on employees manually scanning each item as it went through the book handling process. As a result, valuable staff resources were directed to time-consuming checkout and inventory management procedures, while patrons faced long lines and moderate customer service due to the demands placed on library staff. RFID-based library material handling systems provide library staff with the ability to computerize the entire material handling process. With the RFID system in place, staff can be relieved of checkout duties, and can spend more time providing other services to library patrons.
“The people of New Orleans have shown tremendous spirit and resiliency over the past ten months and we are extremely grateful to play a small part in their rebuilding efforts,” said Shai Robkin, President and CEO of ITG. “This new system will automate routine tasks that typically take up much of the librarians’ time, allowing them to focus their efforts on the needs of library patrons and the greater community.”
About TAGSYS
TAGSYS is the global leader in item-level RFID infrastructure. TAGSYS provides RFID systems and tags for end-to-end item-level tracking that automates labor-intensive processes, authenticates and safeguards goods, and enables real-time inventory and asset visibility. With a proven track record of delivering Reliable, Accurate and Secure (R.A.S.) RFID systems and tags, TAGSYS has deployed over 60 million tags and 50,000 reader systems to over 500 customers in more than 40 countries. TAGSYS’ RFID solutions are currently being deployed in a range of highly specialized vertical markets that include pharmaceutical, fashion apparel, libraries, and textile rental. The company is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts with offices and R&D Centers in France’s Smart Valley, in Doylestown, Pennsylvania and in Hong Kong. More information on TAGSYS can be found at www.tagsysrfid.com.
About ITG
Integrated Technology Group develops library automation technologies that empower librarians to serve their patrons. Its 30+ years of experience in the library industry is leveraged to create smart technology and cutting-edge designs. ITG is a division of Vernon Library Supplies, Inc. ITG’s work in the field of RFID technology is a natural extension the parent company’s developments in barcoding, security, inventory management and patron self-service.
