Equipment Required:

-         PC with attached barcode scanner and RFID antenna, running the ACS Terminal Program in the Write Tag mode.

-         Roll of RFID labels.

-         Stack of cover labels.

 

Overview:

-         Programming of RFID tags consists of read barcode (F9), write RFID tag (F7), read RFID tag (F5), set anti-theft bit (F3).

-         Place the item with the RFID tag in it on top of the RFID antenna with the barcode on the item directly below the barcode scanner, so that the red dot from the barcode scanner is on the barcode.

-         If the barcode scanner does not automatically recognize the barcode and beep, then try touching the trigger on the barcode scanner to get it to read.

-         When the barcode has been read, the PC will beep and a box will appear saying that the number has been written to the tag.

-         Put the RFID tagged item aside.

-         After a stack of items has been RFID tagged the Anti-Theft Bit must be turned on.  To do this, change the ACS Terminal Program to Read Tag mode and set the items on the RFID antenna one at a time until you have 6 to 10 items on the RFID antenna.  As the items are added you should see the item’s Item (barcode) number appear on the screen.  Then press the F3 key.  At this point you should see the ACS Terminal program read the number in each item and set the Anti-Theft Bit.

-         When the Anti-Theft Bits has been set the items are ready for shelving.

-         When an item is found to not handle an RFID tag well (e.g., a metal cover) then set it aside for later processing.  If possible, remove any RFID tag that may have been attached.

 

General Considerations:

-         Metal interferes with reading the RFID tags.

-         Since we use metal shelves, the tags should not be too close to the bottom of the item.  It is best if the tag is located in the middle third of the height of the item near the spine.

-         RFID tags should not sit on top of each other. So staggering the distance along the spine helps the reading process.

-         RFID tags should not sit on top of a Checkpoint tag, which is usually behind the date due card pocket.

-         Wearing jewelry while tagging can cause interference.

-         If an item has a metal cover set it aside for later processing.

-         Apply cover labels to RFID labels before tagging.

 

Specific Procedure for Books:

-         If the book is a McNaughton, apply the RFID tag inside the Date Due card pocket.

-         If the book is a non-cataloged item (usually paperbacks and boardbooks), apply a preprogrammed tag inside the Date Due pocket.

-         Otherwise, apply the RFID tag to the book on inside back cover, near the spine, in the middle third of the distance between the top and bottom of the book. 

-         If the inside rear cover has something in the way, put the RFID label on the inside front cover, near the spine in the middle third. 

-         It is a good thing to apply the RFID labels at different heights as one puts them on a number of books -- as long as they are within the middle third of the distance along the spine of the book.

 

Specific Procedure for Audio Books (both audiocassette and CD):

-         Apply a single square RFID tag to the inside the back cover.

-         If the plastic case does not have a flat area on one of the inside covers, apply a single square RFID tag on the outside cover under the book.

-         If  the case has a metal ring binding, typically for holding disks in plastic “pages," apply the square RFID tag as far from the metal as practical.

 

Specific Procedure for CD and DVD disks:

-         If the item is a single disk in a case, apply a round RFID tag around the hole in the disk.

-         It the item is multiple disks in a case, apply a single square RFID tag preferably on an inside cover of the case, or to the outside cover underneath the printed cover.

 

Specific Procedure for Audio Cassettes:

-         If the item is a single audiocassette in a case, apply a round RFID tag around one of the holes.

-         It the item is multiple audiocassettes in a case, apply a single square RFID tag preferably on an inside cover of the case.

 

Specific Procedure for Video (VHS) Cassettes:

-         If the item is a single video cassette in a case, apply a square RFID tag to the video cassette itself.

-         It the item is multiple video cassettes in a case, apply a single square RFID tag preferably on an inside cover of the case, or to the outside cover underneath the printed cover.

 

Processing New Items, whether from ROC or locally-processed:

-         Procedure: When new items intended for the SL collection are received they should be set aside for RFID tagging in the back room.

-         Rationale: Once the tagging of a given material type in the stacks has begun, it is necessary to make sure that all returned items and new items received from the ROC are RFID tagged.  This is so we don’t wind up with a mix of tagged and untagged books in the stacks and no easy way to distinguish the difference before the patron brings the book to the Circ desk.