Option for Tagging Process
RFID tagging consists of two distinct activities:
- Applying the RFID tag to the item, and
- Programming the item number (from the barcode) into the RFID tag.
These two activities can be done at the same time or at different times.
The options for applying the RFID tags to the item are:
- In stacks: person walks through stacks with roll of tags to apply.
- In back office: put items on cart, roll cart to back office, apply tags,
put items
back on cart, roll cart out to stacks and re-shelve.
- By Circ staff at time of checkout: Circ staff applies tag if one is not
already on item.
- As items are returned: when combined with option (c) one tags the items
most likely to circulate soonest.
- By the bookseller as part of the processing of the book.
- At central processing center as part of new item processing.
- In Tech Services area as required:
- new items
- straggler items returning home
- replacement of damaged tags (e.g., Children's materials)
The options for programming the item number (from the barcode)
into the RFID tag are:
- At time tag is applied.
- In stacks: conversion station on wheels.
Can use a division of labor: one person to take down and tag,
another person to program the tag and re-shelve item.
- In back office: put items on cart, roll cart to back office, program tags,
put items back on cart, roll cart out to stacks and re-shelve.
- By Circ staff on checkout: If tag does not have item number in it
then Circ
staff programs item number into tag.
- By self-checkout machine at time of checkout.
(But the anti-theft bit is not set
unless the item is programmed
so the anti-theft gates won't detect the removal
of an unprogrammed item.)
- By tech services as items are received from ROC/vendor
when vendor
is affixing tag to item.
If you tag items as they circulate then:
- this means you don't have self-checkout stations.
- you also have tagged and untagged items in the shelves.
- material control at the gates becomes difficult since much is not tagged.
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