HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – December 20, 2010 – Bibliotheca Inc., open RFID solutions partner of choice to over 1,000 library locations worldwide, announced that Berkeley Public Library (California) will be outfitting its five branches with RFID tags, staff stations and security gates. The library will be phasing in the Bibliotheca RFID project in concert with its Branch Improvement Program. Implementation is estimated to take six to eight months. Additional plans include installation of automated material handling solutions in 2011.
A 31 percent increase in circulation over the last few years as well as a 49 percent increase in the number of items reserved and received in the two years – without an increase in staff – prompted the library to seek a more efficient materials management solution.
Berkeley Public Library will be replacing its current proprietary RFID tags, which are not compatible with current industry standards, with Bibliotheca BiblioChip RFID labels. Based on the Open Danish Data Model, the standards based technology will give the library opportunities to upgrade technologies as needed. Also, the BiblioChip tag's ability to detect items missing in a media pack was an important factor due to the library's high-volume circulation of media (40 percent). Berkeley will be creating its own self-check solutions using Bibliotheca shielded pads, readers and BiblioChip software, which will seamlessly integrate with the library's Millennium Express Lane self-check software. Bibliotheca's latest security solution, the BiblioGate VII, will also be installed to provide optimal 3D detection.
The library selected Bibliotheca as its RFID vendor after visiting neighboring Bibliotheca public library customers in Sunnyvale and Santa Clara, where Bibliotheca's open standards RFID products interoperate with the libraries' Millennium integrated library systems and provide high levels of patron self-service.
About Berkeley Public Library
Berkeley Public Library serves a population of 107,178 and has an annual circulation of 2 million, making it among the top 20 libraries in California in circulation per capita. The Library sponsors a host of fascinating cultural, literary, and artistic events programs, and serves as a valuable resource for weathering the tough economy by providing numerous online resources and access to computers to the public.
About Bibliotheca Inc.
With global headquarters in Switzerland and operations in the Americas and Asia-Pacific, Bibliotheca Inc. is the second-largest global provider of practical, scalable RFID solutions. Based on renowned BiblioChip technology, our RFID solutions offer unparalleled integration with integrated library systems for optimal staff efficiency as well as easy-to-use, intuitive user interfaces for both patrons and staff – all with the backing of an international company that offers true global customer service and support. Call 1-800-892-5971 or visit www.bibliotheca-rfid.com for more details.
