Rfid

For the exclusive use of M. Villagran, 2015.

HKU866

BENJAMIN YEN

MAKING RFID WORK: THE WORLD’S LARGEST

UNIVERSITY LIBRARY RFID IMPLEMENTATION

In October 2008, the University of Hong Kong’s Libraries (“HKU Libraries”) successfully

launched an initiative to introduce radio-frequency identification (“RFID”) into its Main

Library. Through the RFID initiative, HKU Libraries intended to pursue effective

management of the public and private resources bestowed upon the institution. In 2008, the

libraries served a total of 102,676 registered borrowers and had collected a total of 2.65

million items. Managing such a large number of resources was always an issue for HKU

Libraries’ management team. Deputy Librarian Peter Sidorko saw the promise of RFID

technology in helping him to serve the libraries and their users better. After reviewing the

possible use of RFID, HKU Libraries chose the Main Library, one of seven branches, as the

first location for launching the RFID initiative.

The 2008 launch was the first phase in the RFID implementation scheme. Although initial

RFID usage information had not been compiled, Sidorko had to decide what the next step of

this initiative should be. What should Sidorko consider when implementing future RFID

strategies?

Establishment of HKU Libraries

HKU Libraries was established in 1912 to provide research support, collections and services

to members of the university. In 1961, when the university celebrated its golden jubilee with

more than 2,000 students, it moved the libraries from Main Building to Main Library building

(renamed the Old Wing in 1991 and renovated in 1993).1 In 1991, the libraries added a major

extension on the site of the old Students’ Union building and named the extension the New

Wing. From then onward, HKU Libraries occupied the Old Wing and New Wing to house its

collection of materials pertaining to the arts, humanities, architecture, social sciences, and

science and technology, and to...