Bellaire City Library undergoes upgrades to improve efficiency, user experience

The Bellaire City Library has recently started tagging more than 80,000 library books with a radio frequency identification, or RFID, device.

How it works

RFID tagging uses radio frequency technology to wirelessly track books through radio waves emitted by the tags to self-service checkout stations, reader pads, inventory wands and security gates, Library Director Chris Arrowood said.

Residents checking out books at the library will do so at a self-service kiosk and then walk through security gates that are similar to those in retail stores to ensure all materials have been properly checked out, Community Relations Administrator Cheryl Bright said.

A closer look

According to an email from Arrowood, the benefits of RFID tagging include reduced wait times, faster inventory checks and real-time information queries.

Other benefits Arrowood listed include:

Improving management efficiencyEnhancing the user experience with convenient operationsEnhancing security through an anti-theft functionCutting labor costs by reducing manual interventionProviding accurate data analysis on user behaviorNext steps

As of March 9, library staff and volunteers from the Friends of the Bellaire Library have recently started the process and predict the tagging of all the books to take three to four months, Bright said.

Once 50% of books are tagged, the library will install the self-checkout kiosks and security gates.