Implementation of the 3M™ Digital Identification System at the UNLV libraries
| Pages | 104-110 |
| Date | 01 March 2002 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/07378830210420726 |
| Published date | 01 March 2002 |
| Author | Jennifer L. Fabbi,Sidney D. Watson,Kenneth E. Marks |
| Subject Matter | Information & knowledge management,Library & information science |
Implementation of the
3M
2
Digital
Identification System at
the UNLV libraries
Jennifer L. Fabbi
Sidney D. Watson and
Kenneth E. Marks
Introduction
Among other technological innovations, the
state-of-the-art Lied Library at the University of
Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) showcases the
newest, cutting-edge technology in library
materials flow and collection management, the
3M Digital Identification System. Due to the
involvement of UNLV's dean of libraries as a
member of the 3M Library Advisory Council, a
UNLV branch library, the Curriculum
Materials Library (CML) was able to beta test
this system prior to its implementation in Lied
Library. It was the first library site worldwide to
incorporate all of the fully-functioning
components of the 3M Digital Identification
System. The process, from initial interest in
testing to full implementation, spans a
three-year period with much planning,
discovery, and challenge, and is still taking
place as products continue to develop.
The current system
The 3M Digital Identification System consists
of several components used to track, identify,
and control library materials. The digital
identification products are based on radio
frequency identification technology, or the
transmission of information stored on a ``smart''
tag via signals between that tag and a ``reader''.
They support 3M's materials flow management
idea, which is designed to optimize the
handling, processing, and security of library
materials into, out of, and within a library:
.The radio frequency identification (RFID) tag
is the key element in 3M's Digital
Identification System. It is a ``smart''
adhesive-backed label that contains a tiny
radio frequency transponder microchip and
an antenna. The memory chip embedded
in each tag is capable of storing the item's
barcode and other information, such as
media type and library location. The RFID
tag is programmed at the 3M Digital
Conversion Station, where it is applied to a
book (or other media type, such as
videocassette). The tag is also
``rewriteable'': it can be reprogrammed if
the barcode or other status of the item is
changed.
The authors
Jennifer L. Fabbi (jfabbi@ccmail.nevada.edu) is Curriculum
Materials/Education Librarian, Curriculum Materials Library,
Sidney D. Watson (swatson@ccmail.nevada.edu) is Library
Supervisor, Curriculum Materials Library and
Kenneth E. Marks (kmarks@ccmail.nevada.edu) is Dean of
Libraries, all at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Nevada,
USA.
Keywords
Technology, Libraries, Collection management
Abstract
The University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) is the alpha/
beta test site for 3M
2
Library Systems Digital Identification
System, a cutting-edge technology in library materials flow
and collection management. This article discusses the
components of the system and their assimilation and testing
at a UNLV branch library, the Curriculum Materials Library
(CML), in anticipation of the opening of Lied Library.
Challenges and discoveries in the development of the system
and implementation differences between a small and large
library are outlined. Future growth for both product
development and the UNLV libraries' use of the system are
forecasted.
Electronic access
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The current issue and full text archive of this journal is
available at
http://www.emeraldinsight.com/0737-8831.htm
Theme articles
104
Library Hi Tech
Volume 20 .Number 1 .2002 .pp. 104±110
#MCB UP Limited .ISSN 0737-8831
DOI 10.1108/07378830210420726
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