The pilot project did not, however, realize the benefits that the BCPL sought to achieve. Staff found that circulation processes with RFID were actually slower than they had been previously when only bar codes were used. In addition, they were frustrated by the need to move back and forth between the RFID vendor’s SIP based application and their CARL circulation screens. Patrons found the self-checkout system difficult to use. Those who did use it were often subjected to an embarrassing experience when materials that they had properly checked out set off the security gates. Apparently, when multiple items were being processed simultaneously, not all of the security bits in the RFID tags were deactivated.

BCPL’s RFID vendor tried without success to find solutions for these problems for two years. In 2005, the library’s administration voted to abandon RFID, deciding instead to focus its resources on bar code-based self-checkout systems that would work with a traditional electromagnetic (EM) security system used to protect the most valuable and vulnerable parts of the system’s collection.

It was at this point that BCPL discovered the Integrated Technology Group’s (ITG) Apex XpressCheck™ patron self service system. ITG demonstrated the system on site for library staff, and in doing so, addressed the many and various concerns that had emerged during the RFID pilot project. BCPL decided it would purchase bar code based Apex XpressCheck systems to work in libraries without security systems as well as in libraries that would have EM security systems that would be purchased from ITG’s parent company, Vernon Library Supplies, Inc. or from another EM supplier.

After seeing BCPL building confidence in ITG’s self-checkout solution, ITG asked BCPL if it could have the opportunity to prove that RFID could indeed deliver the benefits that the library hoped to achieve when it embarked on the pilot project. BCPL agreed to allow ITG to replace the previous RFID vendor’s staff and self-checkout software with Apex RFID software. The existing tags and readers remained in place.

To the delight of staff, the Apex RFID DirectReader™ application allowed staff to keep its CARL circulation screens open and fully functional at all times; no SIP interface was required and security bits were deactivated within an instant of materials being checked out or in. Patrons discovered that the Apex RFID XpressCheck software was simple and intuitive to use. Just as importantly, “false alarms” at security exits were eliminated through the reliable deactivation of RFID security bits.

Now convinced that RFID could perform as advertised, BCPL has put the technology back into its materials flow management plan. The first thing on the agenda is to use RFID to secure selected parts of the collection; full RFID migration will take place over the course of a number of years. Instead of EM security, RFID security gates are being installed. Items deemed to be most valuable or vulnerable are being tagged with nonprogrammed RFID tags. As materials are checked out against their bar codes, either by staff or by patrons at self checkout stations, the security bits in the RFID tags, if they are present, are turned off. The process is seamless for both staff and patrons.