THE IMPACT OF THE APPLICATION OF RFID TECHNOLOGY IN THE ACCESSIBILITY AND RETRIEVAL OF INFORMATION RESOURCES IN NIGERIAN LIBRARIES

1.1 Introduction

RFID means Radio frequency identification i.e. The technology that uses radio waves to automatically identify individual items. The objective of any RFID system is to carry data in suitable transponders, generally known as tags and to retrieve data, by machine readable means, at a suitable time and place and to satisfy particular application needs. RFID is one of the most technologies being adopted by both industry and academic world. Modern academic library is a place where millions of books advanced; periodicals, CDs, DVDs and other electronic reading materials are contained. It is a challenge to manage for librarians, managing such type of huge collection.

As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.

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1.2 Background of Study

RFID technology is in use since the 1970s. RFID tags can be active, semi-passive and passive. It is a small device that can store information. Passive tags don't have internal batteries. RFID reader is a device that can receive and transmit a radio signal. It is built to encode data stored in the tag's microprocessor. Because of the higher cost, active and semi-passive RFID tags are used for valuable asset tracking. The passive RFID tags are used in RFID library management systems. RFID library management, using RFID tags library, is easy and convenient. A RFID library management system consists of books, each attached with an RFID tag, RFID reader, computer network and software. Library staff handle lending, returning, sorting, tagging etc. of books, using RFID tags in this library system. A person can locate RFID library books marked with a RFID tags, using the RFID reader which identifies and locates the book. When the book is carried to the counter, the library staff can either activate or deactivate the electronic article surveillance bit in the book's tag. If a book is borrowed, then the surveillance bit is deactivated.

Modern-day RFID technology is used in various ways in many sectors, including healthcare, retail, government, transportation, and education (Garfinkel & Rosenberg, 2006). Wal-Mart, the world’s largest retailer, uses RFID technology to improve inventory tracking as items are processed through the supply chain (Vijayan & Brewin, 2003). Wal- Mart has been a major force behind the use of RFID in supply chain management since the 2003 announcement that its top 100 suppliers must utilize the technology for shipments to begin in January 2005 (Weinstein, 2005). Although unforeseen challenges slowed full-scale implementation by Wal-Mart suppliers, the retailing giant was the first major retailer to implement RFID throughout its supply chain and continues to move ahead with implementing this technology (Weinstein). Wal-Mart executives recently announced a change in their RFID implementation strategy. The company shifted focus from tagging pallets and cases shipped to Wal-Mart to concentrate on tagging shipments destined for its warehouse subsidiary, Sam’s Club (Supply Chain Digest, 2009).

Public libraries require efficient control systems to maintain accurate inventory statistics and records of patron borrowing. The majority of modern public libraries use barcode technology to accomplish these tasks (Ward, 2007). A technology that has gained the attention of public library personnel in recent years is radio frequency identification (RFID). This technology, which is a replacement for barcodes, offers the ability to improve staff productivity, increase operational efficiency, and maintain item security (Galhotra & Galhotra, 2009). The benefits of RFID implementation are significant, but other issues to consider prior to RFID adoption include system costs, security, and privacy concerns (Yu, 2007).

During World War II, allied forces first utilized a simple form of early RFID technology named Identify Friend or Foe to determine if an approaching aircraft was one of their own or that of the enemy (Garfinkel & Holtzman, 2006). This early version of RFID technology was simplistic in form and utilized one bit to indicate whether a tag was present or absent, whereas modern RFID technology provides additional information via multibit transmissions (Landt, 2001). RFID technology has improved significantly since World War II, and uses for this technology are increasing (Garfinkel & Rosenberg, 2006).

Sam’s Club required suppliers to affix RFID tags to all pallets of goods sold to the retailer by the end of 2008 (Bacheldor, 2008a). On January 7, 2008, Sam’s Club notified all suppliers that merchandise must be tagged at the sellable-unit level by 2010 (Bacheldor). Sam’s Club executives recently announced new timelines for RFID implementation, including pallet-level tagging implemented chain-wide in 2010 and stated that the deadline for tagging at the individual item level is under review (Supply Chain Digest, 2009).

In the transportation sector, RFID technology supports access control functions (Shepard, 2005). For example, some FedEx drivers wear RFID-enabled wristbands to access secured trucks and to access secure FedEx facilities after regular business hours.

Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the Impact of the Application of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Technology in the Accessibility and Retrieval of Information Resources in Nigerian Libraries.

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1.3 Statement of Problems

The problem investigated in this dissertation is how one public library system implemented RFID technology to improve operational processes such as asset tracking, maintenance of patron records, and improved customer service, while maintaining patron privacy and the security of data. Networked information technology (IT) systems are essential to the success of many organizations, and the public library system is no exception (Jiao & Onwuegbuzie, 2004; Turban, McLean, & Wetherbe, 2006). Librarians in the late 1970s and early 1980s began replacing physical card catalogs with computerized versions of the card catalog by utilizing automation systems (Rubin, 2004). These systems evolved into Integrated Library Systems (ILSs) that allow librarians to automate functions such as circulation, acquisitions, and cataloging (Rubin).

Barcode technology is used in the majority of libraries to facilitate material loans, returns, and inventory tracking (Ward, 2007). Adapted for use within the library environment, RFID is a relatively new technology in comparison to barcodes (Boss, 2009). Boss estimates that approximately 1,500 libraries worldwide utilize RFID technology, up from 600 libraries in 2007. One of the differences between RFID technology and barcode technology is that barcodes transmit only product-identifying information, whereas RFID technology can identify a product and provide the option for additional information to be written to and read from the RFID tag, such as personal account information in the case of RFID-enabled credit cards (Boss). Barcodes also must use line-of-sight connections, and objects must be read one item at a time. RFID technology allows for the simultaneous reading of dozens of tagged objects in a group (Boss). Simultaneous reading increases the speed with which items are processed, thus providing a significant advantage over barcoding systems (Boss).

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1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study

The aim of the study is to examine the Impact of the Application of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Technology in the Accessibility and Retrieval of Information Resources in Nigerian Libraries. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:

1. To investigate the impact of the Application of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Technology in the Accessibility Information Resources in Nigeria
2. To examine the individual perspective to Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Technology
3. To evaluate the Impact of the Application of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Technology in the Retrieval of Information Resources in Nigeria

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1.5 Research Questions

The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:

• Does gender play any role in the contents of radio programme?
• Is there any impact of the Application of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Technology in the Accessibility Information Resources in Nigeria?
• What is the individual perspective to Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Technology
• What is the Impact of the Application of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Technology in the Retrieval of Information Resources in Nigeria?

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1.6 Research Hypothesis

In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.

• H₀1: There is no significant impact of the Application of RFID Technology in the Accessibility Information Resources in Nigeria
• H₀2: Retrieval Information Resources does not have any significant impact on the Application of RFID Technology

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1.7 Significance of Study

The significant contribution of this study is to provide public library system personnel considering adopting RFID technology with a thorough understanding of implementation considerations, including the benefits, drawbacks, logistical concerns, security issues, and privacy issues that must be addressed prior to implementing RFID.

This study will be of immense benefit to other researchers who intend to know more on this study and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their research work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other study.

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1.8 Scope of Study

The study focuses on the Impact of the Application of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Technology in the Accessibility and Retrieval of Information Resources in Nigerian Libraries.

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1.9 Limitations of the Study

During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:

1. Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
2. Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
3. Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
4. Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).

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1.10 Definition of Terms

Barcode: A printed horizontal strip of vertical lines of varying widths used to identify an item. Barcodes work in conjunction with a scanner, using line-of-sight technology (Shepard, 2005).

Closed system: Refers to an implementation of RFID technology in which RFID data are only accessible to those within the confines of that system (Haley et al., 2007).

Electronic product code (EPC): Created as a potential replacement for the barcode. The EPC identification system was designed to enable identification of individual items containing RFID tags, whereas barcodes simply identify the manufacturer and class of products. The EPC identifies manufacturer, category of product, and the specific item (Ward, 2007).