/> Libraries are providing more services without an increase in funding and are turning to technologies like RFID to automate routine tasks and free staff to spend more time with patrons. As libraries embrace the many benefits of RFID, one of their key concerns is the reliability and durability of the tags. This includes the ability of the RF chip to retain its data over the life of the library’s asset and quality construction of the RF inlay, which contains the chip and RF antenna, and is embedded inside the asset label. In each RFID chip a unique ID is stored that is tied to the library system database which identifies the individual book or document, such as title, author, number of pages, publication date, purchase date and shelf location. Libraries want to ensure the integrity of the chip’s data when read at any time over the life of an asset, which can range from 10-50 years or more, as well as the physical construction of the inlay.

“TI’s Tag-it HF-I chip provides the long data retention libraries require and our tests show that TI’s HF inlays have the best quality construction designed to stand the test of time in today’s demanding library applications,” said Rory Yanchek, general manager, 3M Track and Trace Solutions. “We warranty that 3M’s RFID tags will last as long as the items to which they are affixed.”

“3M Library Systems’ leadership built an exciting new application for RFID technology and one of the largest markets for high-frequency (HF) technology,” said Julie England, vice president of Texas Instruments. “Using thin, flexible smart RFID labels created with TI’s Tag-it HF chips and the inlay technology we co-developed, libraries are improving their operations while enhancing customer service.”