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Library · The Inquiring Mind What is RFID and what is the Library doing with it? We are changing the system we use to check books in and out of the library. Libraries have been using computers and bar codes for over 30 years. Now there is a new technology that will allow us to do it more quickly and efficiently. It does not use barcodes or barcode readers. It is called RFID and it uses radio frequency ID tags and short range antennas to check books in and out. Initially we will have two of these stations on the circulation desk. You can choose whether or not to checkout your books yourself or staff can assist you. You will also be able to pay any charges on your card with cash or credit card without staff assistance. A third station up in the Youth Department will be available for people who want to checkout their own materials upstairs rather than using the downstairs stations. This is just the first step in the implementation of RFID and the other changes that it will make way for. Over the next few months, we will be making changes to the area behind the circulation desk. We will be moving in a new piece of equipment that will automatically checkin materials when you put them through the book slot. The equipment reads the RFID tag, checks in item and turns on the security portion of the tag. It then sorts each item by category and, using a conveyor belt, deposits it into one of 7 bins, ready for shelving. This might sound like something out of the distant future, but it isn't. This new technology makes so much sense for libraries that it is being rapidly adopted all over North America. Our neighbouring libraries, North Vancouver District and North Vancouver City are both ahead of us in the implementation process. Whistler opened their new library with RFID technology in place and even the large library systems like Vancouver and Surrey, where implementation of a new technology becomes very expensive, are looking at phasing it in. Art Gallery News We will be taking down some of the gallery walls and making changes to others in the next 18 months; as a result we will be suspending our gallery program during 2009. This means that we will not be holding our annual Call To Artists this fall. We will try to keep the walls interesting during renovations and look forward to reinstating the program once renovations are complete. For more detailed information please visit the Gallery page of our website. www.westvanlibrary.ca