Library Solutions Made In Europe

For libraries to meet their future responsibilities, it is necessary to release them from comparatively trivial activities, such as checking out books on loan or their return and to automate these administrative processes as far as possible.

Nedap Librix presents new product solutions for the 'Library of the Future'. The aim is to release librarians from time-consuming tasks such as book lending and to increase the efficiency of administration processes. At the same time, Nedap Librix has announced increased product and marketing activities for the library market.


The world of libraries is currently experiencing upheaval. Increasing demands made by a generation of young, avid internet users, but also social changes, such as demographic changes require new models for presenting analogue and digital information media. On top of that, the omnipresent pressure on costs burdening the entire cultural sector also requires highly efficient administration structures.


"For libraries to meet their future responsibilities, it is necessary to release them from comparatively trivial activities, such as checking out books on loan or their return and to automate these administrative processes as far as possible", is the vision of Wouter Klunder, Managing Director of Nedap Librix.


He considers implementing RFID-based media administration systems to be an important stage in realising this ideal conception."The introduction of self-service systems, not only dispenses with queues, but allows the library visitor to borrow and return the selected media while protecting his privacy", Wouter Klunder says.


Long term market participant

The Dutch technology corporation Nedap regards itself as being a trend-setter in RFID technology. The Group subsidiary Nedap Librix benefits from the numerous synergies within the Group and is the only supplier worldwide to develop and produce its own fully integrated RFID solutions for the library sector.


The product portfolio covers all the necessary components, from RFID labels and readers, to antenna systems, self-service stations including intelligent return shelves, RFID book trolleys and the necessary administration software necessary to control and monitor these components.


In contrast to much of the competition, Nedap Librix is not an assembler of third-party products. All RFID products are developed and produced in the main production facility in The Netherlands and are subjected to comprehensive quality tests there.


We do not just pay lip service to "Made in Europe" - it is an integral part of our company.


For our customers this means excellent quality", explains Wouter Klunder. As a confirmation of its own promise, Nedap Librix is offering a 3 year warranty on the range of products starting with immediate effect - this is absolutely unique on the market. "Nedap Librix invests approximately ten percent of its turnover in research and development", Klunder states, highlighting the future direction of the company.


Nedap Librix systems are fully compatible with communication protocols in accordance with current industrial standards, such as SIP2 or NCIP for example and can communicate with the most popular library administration systems worldwide. "Our customers benefit from the fact that our library management software works independently of any platform. The high performance of our systems is always warranted - which in view of current consolidation tendencies in the market is an important argument in favour of working with Nedap Librix", says Wouter Klunder.


Expanding market share

We have already been able to install numerous libraries as our customers. Thus we recently concluded a contract with the municipal library in Hanover. The central library and all the branches will soon be fitted with the newest RFID technology.
"Even though we are very successful internationally and can name renowned institutions among our customers, such as the Museum del Prado, in some countries we have not reached the degree of brand awareness we are striving for", explains Wouter Klunder. With a product and marketing campaign, he wants to significantly increase the profile awareness of Nedap Librix. "Our long term goal is to expand our share of the market to at least 30 percent", Klunder substantiates the ambitious plans.


Innovative new product developments are to play a key role in this. "With the Nedap Librix innovations, interaction with library visitors becomes more cost-effective and at the same time, more customer-friendly. We make time for libraries to do the really important jobs".


From a central point, the browser-based management tool Librix Online offers a complete overview of important work processes within the library and on the current performance of the equipment used. Thus for example, users are informed if the communication speed from and to the library administration system falls. In addition to that, Librix Online supports libraries in evaluating customer behaviour. Thus the system shows which devices are currently actively being used. Within the framework of a special campaign, new customers of Nedap Librix are being offered the use of the management software for three years free of charge.


With Bibliocheck NEXT, the new generation of Librix Software is ready to go. The new control software for self-service terminals not only provides libraries with the greatest possible amount of freedom in the specific design of the user interface, but also opens up new opportunities for interacting with library users - by e-mail for example.


In the area of hardware development as well, Nedap Librix is setting new priorities and provides visitors an insight into the "Library of the future". Smallest Branch is a self-service booking cabin which can be used to put 600 to 800 books into circulation. It is a further development of the existing Nedap Librix book trolley and locker solutions. Once the user has identified themselves with the membership card, the cabin opens automatically and allows access to the selection of books stored inside. Afterwards, a receipt is printed out listing all media which have been removed and their return dates. In principle, returning media follows the same procedure.


There is a wide range of possible applications for the systems according to Wouter Klunder. He sees possible applications in university institutes which for space reasons do not have a library of their own. Care institutions and retirement homes offer great potential as well. "With ideas of this kind, we not only demonstrate the linking up with the most up-to-date information technology, but also allow for the demographic age development within industrial society".


Ensuring investment protection

Currently the Nedap developers are working on optimising long term and sustainable performance and functionality of RFID systems. Thus for example we are working on improving energy efficiency. To reduce the power consumption, in future intelligent control mechanisms will ensure that the Nedap RFID systems only consume power from the mains during the specified opening times of the library.


In the area of data protection, Nedap is also promoting innovative developments. "Data protection is our top priority", Wouter Klunder emphasises. On the basis of international technology standards and in close agreement with national data protection organisations, Nedap developers are working on even more secure RFID data models.


Nedap expressly supports voluntary commitments, as provided for in a recently concluded framework agreement on an EU level with industrial representatives from Europe and the USA on the so-called Privacy Impact Assessment, (PIA). Wouter Klunder regards the agreement reached by European RFID providers and users and also researchers and data protectors as being another important milestone on the way to creating legal security for investment in the use of RFID systems and for dynamically promoting their distribution in the library sector as well.

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Tags: library, rfid, Self-service


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