RFID in the Egyptian Libraries:
Case Study
A scientific paper presented to the 5th. Wildauer Bibliotheks-Symposium titled “RFID
and beyond” 11. /12. September 2012
By: Mahmoud Sayed Abdou
Library of Congress, Cairo-Egypt
M.A. Researcher in RFID in Libraries
E-mail:admin@rfidinlibrary.com
Website: www.rfidinlibrary.com
RFID Technology in the Egyptian Libraries: case study.
Introduction:
Egypt is the leading country in librarianship over all Arab countries. In 1870, Egypt
established the first national library in the Region. In 1951, Egypt was the first country
that own official education for librarianship and archives. Today Egypt has the largest
number of libraries in the Region which amounted totally by 231761 including: 470
Academic Libraries, 1299 Public Libraries, 1 National Libraries, 4 Children Libraries, 501
Special Libraries and 209012 school libraries.
[
As for the technical side, Egypt was one of the first Arab countries that connected to the
Internet in 1989. By the second half of the 90s libraries automation started in the
Egyptian libraries, since the 90s, most libraries in Egypt relied on “Barcode” as a Library
Management System, and relied on “Electromagnetic strips- EM” as a Theft Prevention
Systems. At the mid-2000 it was a slowly moving toward using RFID technology in the
Egyptian libraries.
This paper aims mainly to discuss the status of RFID technology in the Egyptian
libraries by answering various questions e.g. how many libraries that using RFID in
Egypt? What are the most obstacles that facing libraries in Egypt to apply RFID? What
about the most suitable/applicable solutions that may assist libraries in Egypt to apply
RFID? Are there any libraries planning to relay on RFID in the future?
In addition, it will refer to the status of RFID technology in the Arab Region’s libraries
which backs to the beginning of 2000 at “The Library of Cultural Center in Ras Al
Khaimah, United Arab of Emirates” to be the first library that using RFID in the Region.
Then it followed by many other libraries in UAE reached to approximately 52 libraries.
Saudi Arabia is the largest country adopting RFID in the region with approximately 62
libraries. Then many other libraries in the Region decided to relay on RFID to manage
and secure their collections such as Libraries in Bahrain, Jordan, Iraq, Kuwait, Lebanon,
Libya, Oman, Qatar, Tunisia, and Morocco.
1
The Cabinet Information and Decision Support Center: Egyptian Libraries Network: Accessed on 01 July
2012; Available at: http://www.egyptlib.net.eg/Site/Library/Library_Report.aspx
2
Directory of School libraries / Information and Decision Making Center. - Cairo: The Center, 2000. - P.
1
RFID Technology in the Egyptian Libraries: case study.
1. RFID in the Egyptian Libraries: Overview
The mid-2000 was the actual beginning of using RFID in the Egyptian libraries. The
Library of the American University in Cairo was the first library in Egypt to use RFID in
2007, then it followed by three other libraries: The Library of The Nile University in Egypt
which decided to relay on RFID system to manage and secure its collection in 2010; The
Library of the French Institute of Oriental Archaeology which started to apply RFID in
2011; and finally The Library if Faculty of Archaeology in Cairo University (Main Branch)
decided to apply RFID to protect its valuable/rare collections in 2012 especially after
burning the Egyptian Scientific Institute on Saturday 17th December 2011after the
Egyptian revolution. On other hand many other libraries in Egypt are planning to apply
RFID in the future especially the academic and public libraries.
2. RFID Applications in the Egypt
In the following a brief review of the applications/uses of RFID System in each one of the
four libraries in Egypt:
2.1. RFID at the American University in Cairo-AUC
2.1.1. About AUC-Library: AUC-Library one of the oldest university libraries in Egypt, it
established in 1919 and holding 346.714 items, the Library serving a huge number of
patrons whether University students, Academic and staff members or outside
researchers from other universities. The old library building was in Down Town in (Tahrir
Square), in 2007 the library established a new campus at (Fifth Settlement in New CairoCairo) and decided to relay on RFID at the new campus.
2.1.2. AUC-Library switching to RFID: During 2007 (Libraries and Learning
Technologies at AUC-Library in Cairo) was awarded a USAID/ASHA grant to cover the
majority of the costs involved with RFID project in the AUC-library3. The Library relied on
3M® Library Systems as a supplier of RFID system. The ID Center replaced all existing
university IDs with new RFID enabled photo ID cards; The ID Center began issuing RFID
ID cards to new recipients and tagging the Main Library’s collection with RFID tags
during the spring 2007 semester.
AUC-Library decided to use RFID technology to improve the library’s ability to manage
its collection and make it easier for library patrons to enter the library and check out
materials. The IDs and RFID tags will also make the library collection and ID information
more secure, in addition with the introduction of RFID ID card technology, there is the
capacity for the university to use the ID card for other purposes, such as connecting to
3
Accessed on: 03 June, 2012.- available at: http://library.aucegypt.edu/rfid.htm
2
RFID Technology in the Egyptian Libraries: case study.
the Student Information System, registering for classes, financial transaction in the
bookstore or food services, parking and campus access.
Despite these pervious advantages there were many debates from library patrons about
“Invasion of privacy after using RFID”. The Library replied: “there is no personal
information stored on the card. There is simply a number, and in order for that number to
be of any use, any user would have to have access to the ID system. There is actually,
more information printed on the surface of the card (e.g. picture, status, ID number) than
is stored on the chip. Additionally, a reader – which costs thousands of dollars – would
also have to be within 10 cm. to read a card”
2.1.3. Applications of RFID in AUC-Library:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Theft detection.
Inventory.
Self check out services.
Visitors counter.
2.1.3.1. Theft-detection: The Library based on RFID to secure its collections by
installing “Security Gate” at the only main entrance of the library, this Security Gate
keeps activated all the time to ensure that no items get out from the library before
finishing the circulation procedures whether via Library staff or by Self check out units.
2.1.3.2. Inventory: Inventory processing is one of the most stressful tasks in the library
which required an intensive physical exertion, the AUC-Library based on “DLA-Digital
Library Assistant” which produced by 3M to manage the library collections to do:
Inventory processing, shelve management, arrange shelves, and find misplaced items.
2.1.3.3. Self check out services: Since 1979, The AUC Library was using Barcode
System to manage its collections and to present circulation services, in addition the
library based on EM-Electromagnetic Strips to secure its collection, the library has been
used both systems until 2006.
At the beginning of 2007 the library started its first actual phase to apply RFID called
(tagging) by sticking RFID labels (tags) on the library collection, then converting/copying
the Barcode Serial Number into RFID tag (Conversion Phase); AUC-Library keeps using
Barcode beside RFID until today for some reasons such: Barcode as a Backup System
and low cost of Barcode.
AUC-Library adopted on three -Self checks out stations- distributed in the library, the first
in the Ground floor (Plaza Level), the second in the first floor, and the last one in the
second floor.
3
RFID Technology in the Egyptian Libraries: case study.
2.1.3.4. Visitors counter: AUC-Library installed a visitor counter behind security gates
at the Library Main Entrance which count library visitors and export reports weather daily,
weekly, monthly and yearly divided by type of visitors (students, academic … etc.)
2.2. RFID at The Library of the Nile University in Egypt-NU
2.2.1. About NU-Library: Nile University is a not-for-profit institution of higher learning.
The University was established in Egypt in July 2006 by the Egyptian Foundation for
Technological Education Development (EFTED). The Mission of the NU Library is to
support the educational and research needs of the NU community. Faculty, staff and
students will be able to access information about the collections, services and most of
the electronic resources on and off campus. The library will provide printed and digital
materials in the three main academic programs that are currently offered: CIT (Computer
and Information Technology), MOT (Management of Technology) and EMBA (Executive
Master of Business Administration).
2.2.2. NU-Library switching to RFID: During 2010 The Library decided to relay on
RFID System. 3M® RFID supplier was in charge of adopting and installing RFID system
in the Library. The Library staff started directly to stuck RFID Tags on all library
collections. It was expected to start the actual using for RFID system at the beginning of
2011 when library moved to the New Campus, but because of the political conditions4 in
Egypt and some other legal obstacles during this period the library moving to the New
Campus has been postponed, so the library keeps in current place with inactivated RFID
devices. No one can predict when the library moves to the New Campus and when RFID
system will be activated at least at the moment.
2.2.3. Applications of RFID in NU-Library:5
1.
2.
3.
4.
Theft detection.
Inventory.
Self check out services.
Self check in services.
2.2.3.1 Theft detection: One security gate installed at the Library main entrance to
secure library collections.
2.2.3.2 Inventory: The library acquired the DLA device to use it in inventory and other
shelves management processing.
2.2.3.3. Self Check out services: The Library adopts one Self check out unit at the
entrance of the Library to present self circulation processing for Library patrons.
4
5
The Egyptian Revolution, 25th of January 2011.
RFID systems at NU Library doesn’t activated until this moment (June 2012)
4
RFID Technology in the Egyptian Libraries: case study.
2.2.3.4. Self Check in unit services: The Library adopts self check in unit which was
planning to take place in the Library’s front wall beside the entrance to allow library
patrons to return their items from outside the library without entering the library even in
holidays or during the closing hours of the library.
2.3 . RFID at The Library of the French Institute of Oriental Archaeology-IFAO
2.3.1. About IFAO-Library: IFAO’s Library is a specialized library in “Archeology
science” during the period of Islamic history, Coptic, Roman etc. The Library established
in Egypt on 1881, the Library hold around 82.000 volumes, 1050 periodical titles and
2500 members, the library has many rare and old books which consider very important
for library patrons.
It was very wonder to know that the library doesn’t has any management or security
system to manage and secure its collections such: Barcode or EM system, it was only
based on the traditional processes using paper and documentary system to manage its
collection and to present its services such circulation services.
2.3.2. IFAO-Library switching to RFID: During 2009 “Vanessa Desclaux”6 began to
raise the concept of using RFID System in the Library to automate library operations and
to secure the collections instead of the traditional processing. Intellident RFID supplier
(Biblioteca now) was in charge of adopting and installing RFID system in the Library.
In Sep. 2011 was the actual beginning to apply RFID system in IFAO’s library; the library
staff started the Conversion Phase by stuck RFID Tags on library collection, IFAO’s
Library relayed on RFID system to provide the following services:
2.3.3. Applications of RFID in IFAO-Library
1. Theft detection.
2. Inventory.
3. Self check out services.
2.3.3.1 Theft-detection: The library installed two security gates at the library main exits
to secure library collections.
2.3.3.2 Inventory: The library based on the “Hand Held Reader device” by Intellident to
do inventory and shelf management processes.
2.3.3.3. Self check out services: IFAO’s Library presents self circulation service for
library patrons via Self circulation unit which installed at the library exit; in addition the
library can also present the circulation services via the staff station.
6
Director of the French Institute of Oriental Archaeology in Egypt (during 2006-2011).
5
RFID Technology in the Egyptian Libraries: case study.
2.4 . RFID at the Library of Faculty of Archaeology (Main Branch) Cairo University:
The burning of the Egyptian Scientific Institute in Cairo on Saturday 17th December
2011 was the main motivation for the Library of Faculty of Archaeology in Cairo
University to relay on RFID to protect its rare/expensive collections. 3M was in charge of
adopting and installing RFID system in the Library at the burning of 2012, The Library
decided to apply RFID in the main library then in will be followed by the other 2 branched
during the coming five years.
2.4.1. Applications of RFID in LFA-Library:
1. Theft detection.
2. Inventory.
2.5. Review Analysis: After the previous review for the applications of RFID in each of
the four Egyptian libraries that using RFID we got some results as below:
1
Sorter unit
Self check in
Visitors counter
Self Check out
Invenroty
Theft-detection
0
Theft-detection
Invenroty
Self Check out
Visitors counter
Self check in
Sorter unit
NU-Library
AUCLibrary
IFAOLibrary
LFA- (Main
Library)
RFID Applications at the Egyptian Libraries (Chart-1)
2.5.1. Theft-detection, Inventory and Self check out services are the common
applications: Libraries in Egypt considered “Theft Detection” as the first
priority and most important motivation to apply RFID system. AUC-Library
was used “EM system” before RFID to protect its collection. The other three
libraries (NU-Library, IFAO’s Library, and LFA Library) weren’t based on any
protection system at all. And now they all based on RFID system by installing
security gates to secure their collections.
6
RFID Technology in the Egyptian Libraries: case study.
Then, “Inventory” and “self check out” comes as the second priority to apply
RFID after “theft detection” in the Egyptian libraries.
2.5.2. “Self check in services” is applied only in NU-Library: The NU-Library is
the only library in Egypt that based on RFID to present self return/self check
in units via “out-door return unit” which fixed outside the library to allow
library patrons to return the borrowing items by them self from outside the
library and even on library holidays.
2.5.3. “Visitors counter” is applied only in AUC-Library: AUC-Library is the only
library that used visitor counter to count the library patrons, the counter
installed behind security gates at the Library Main Entrance which count
library visitors and export reports weather daily, weekly, monthly and yearly
divided by type of visitors (students, academic staff … etc.)
2.5.4. “Sorter system” is NOT applied at any Egyptian Library: Nor any library in
Egypt that using RFID System decided to use the “Sorter System” maybe
because of the higher cost or they doesn’t have a large number of return
items which call for Sorter System.
2.5.5. 3M is the top RFID supplier in Egypt
“Arabian Advanced Systems” is the only Agent for 3M® Library Systems in
the Arab Region. And throw the AAS’s Branch Office in Egypt they installed
RFID solutions for three libraries in Egypt (The Library of the American
University in Cairo, The Library of The Nile University in Egypt and The
Library of Faculty of Archaeology (Main Branch) Cairo University).
On other hand Intellident (Bibliotecha now) installed RFID System for only
one library in Egypt “The Library of the French Institute of Oriental
Archaeology”.
3. Results of a Survey on RFID in the Egyptian libraries 7
A Survey made to identify and to get knows the reality of RFID systems in the
Egyptian Libraries. It distributed to a Systematic random sample of various Egyptian
libraries which amounted by 100 libraries. The actual replies reached 62 divided as
follows:
7
RFID applications in the Egyptian Libraries Survey / by Mahmoud Sayed Abdou .- available at:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dEY5VkpWeHdIdThHbXhOaXpSRGVGdGc6MQ
7
RFID Technology in the Egyptian Libraries: case study.
Table (1) Statistics of replies libraries
Library Type
No. of replies
National Library
1
Public Library
10
Academic Library
32
School Library
6
Specialist Library
13
Total
62
 This Survey contains four main sections as below:
 Section one: Information about Libraries: This part of survey contains various
questions such as: Name of the library, type, collections, budget, number of
loans, number of visitors, management system (barcode or EM-System), ILS
System, if library support using RFID or not, rate of librarian’s knowledge with
RFID systems in libraries … etc. And, below is an analysis of the most
important results of the first section:
1. Replies for the question “How to rate your knowledge with RFID systems and
it’s applications in libraries?” was fluctuated. The top rate was “Good
knowledge” by 42%. The less rate was 11% for “I don’t know” which means
that those librarians doesn’t know anything or even heard about RFID in
libraries before.
2. Replies for the question “Do you support using RFID at your library?” this
question was mainly for Libraries decision makers and director. The answer
was completely contradictory while 90% supported using this new technology.
and only 10% disagree to use it.
3. Replies for the question about “What is the Management and Protection
System in your Library” was: 49 libraries using Barcode by 79%, 10 libraries
using barcode and Electromagnetic-EM together by 16%, and only 4 Libraries
using RFID by 6%
8
RFID Technology in the Egyptian Libraries: case study.
Management and
Protection System
RFID
0
10
20
30
40
50
Barcode+EM
Barcode
Management and Protection System
RFID
4
Barcode+EM
10
Barcode
49
4. Replies for the question “Have your library planned to use RFID before?” The
majority of libraries around 44 Libraries by 71% said “No”, 12 libraries by 19%
said “Yes, but the Implementation is not completed” which means that these
libraries have already planned to use RFID but for some reasons they
couldn’t complete the implementation, they mentioned for this reasons and
problems such as: High cost of using RFID, lack of budgets, Library priorities
of expenditures to buy books, Small size of collections ... etc.
And finally only 6 libraries by 10% said “Yes, In the planning/Implementation
phase” which means these libraries already decided to use RFID and they
already took some actual steps by calling for prices from RFID suppliers,
managing library budget, they mentioned that they will be applied RFID within
the next 4 or 5 years.
6
12
No
Yes "Implementation not completed"
Yes "Implementation in progress"
44
Have your library planned to use RFID before?”
9
RFID Technology in the Egyptian Libraries: case study.
 Section two: Obstacles to apply RFID in the Egyptian Libraries: The survey
showed many obstacles that facing the libraries in Egypt to use RFID. We can
determine the following main eight obstacles for why RFID is very slowly moving
in the Egyptian Libraries as below:
“The High cost of RFID System” came as the first obstacle, although the
decline in prices of RFID gradually the prices are still high for some libraries in
Egypt.
“Lack of awareness” came as the second obstacle, the intended here is the
awareness of Library directors and decision makers in libraries because they
have the main key to apply this systems and if they haven't enough knowledge
with RFID and its advantages in their libraries it will be hard to decide to apply it
one day.
The next obstacle is related to the previous one it is “The poor in
Administrative planning in libraries” it is also related to library administrative
and its future planning for developing the library.
Then, “The Lack of scientific studies on RFID in Arabic” there are many
articles studies and resources about RFID and its applications in libraries in
English and other languages, on the other hand there are very few studies about
this technology in Arabic which reflect of the knowledge and awareness of
librarians in Egypt.
Some libraries found that “Barcode and EM systems are sufficient” for them,
especially libraries with low budgets and small size of collections.
10
RFID Technology in the Egyptian Libraries: case study.
“The lack of RFID Specialists in Egypt” is one of the obstacles, because RFID
considered as a quit new systems in Egypt and there is no enough specialists
who educate librarians about this new systems in Egypt.
Some libraries prefer the stable system even if it hard because they feel “Fear
of change and modernity” they thought that as long as the current system is
stable, then there is no need to change it, especially if they doesn’t know this
new system very well.
The eighth obstacle is the “Poor of standardizations” while some libraries
mentioned to how to use this new technology while we haven’t a clear national
standard to use it in our libraries.
In addition to the previous main eight obstacles the respondents showed some
other reasons for why RFID is very slowly moving in the Egyptian Libraries such
as:
 Lack of Marketing by RFID-Suppliers/distributers.
 Logistical obstacles.
 Allocation of library budgets to buy books or subscribe to the databases
as the first priorities.
 Section three: Solutions to spread the usage of RFID in the Egyptian
Libraries: This part of the survey aims to discuss the most proposed solutions
which may assist the libraries in Egypt to apply RFID in the near future, the
researcher suggested seven solutions and the respondents proposes an
additional methods as below:
“Libraries Consortiums Projects” came in the front as the most suitable
solution for the libraries in Egypt to apply RFID. Because this kind of projects
11
RFID Technology in the Egyptian Libraries: case study.
decreased to cost of implementing RFID when some libraries decide to buy
RFID system together from specific RFID-Vendors it offer a reasonable discount
for buying quantities at once. Today many consortiums are published such as:
ALIS Consortium in USA: when the Automated Library Information-ALIS of
Nassau County, N.Y., based in Uniondale has selected the Swiss RFID-vendor
Bibliotheca Inc. to provide a range of RFID library solutions for the 54
independent Public Libraries that comprise ALIS; the second sample in London:
London Libraries Consortium, and finally the unique German VÖBB (Berlin
Public Libraries) Project which aims to apply RFID system for 80 libraries and 9
mobile libraries.
6. RFID in the Arab Region’s Libraries: The Library of Cultural Center in Ras Al
Khaimah, United Arab of Emirates was the first library to use RFID in the Region in 2003,
then it followed by many other libraries in UAE and the Arab Region reached approx. 168
installations by 2012.
6.1. RFID-Suppliers/distributers in the Region: There are three main RFID-Suppliers
in the Region as below:
6.1.1. 3M® Library Systems: The oldest RFID-Supplier in the Region. It has an
only Agent in the Region since the beginning of the 90th approx. in 1992 called
(Arabian Advanced System Co.) with has many branches in the Region in Saudi
Arabia, Tunisia, Kuwait, UAE, Beirut, and Egypt.
(Arabian Advanced System Co.) launched the largest number of RFID-Installations
in the Region reached 132 Installations distributed in Arab Region Libraries. Saudi
Arabia got the majority of these installations with reached 61 projects in (Jeddah,
Riyadh, and Khobar’s Libraries).
6.1.2. Bibliotheca: Started its actual work in the Region in approx. 2004 when it
gave the agency for (LibraryTech co.) in Sharjah, UAE to be its sole Agent in the
Region. Since then Bibliotheca has an around 30 Installations in the Region in each
UAE, Oman, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. And the majority of these installations in
UAE’s Libraries which reached 21 project. Bibliotheca has no Partner/Agent in
Egypt until today.
6.1.2. Nedap-Librix in Middle East: The latest RFID-Supplier in the Region, they
started the actual activities by establishing NEDAP Middle East distributer which
located in Dubai since 2007. Since then they installed RFID System for only six
libraries in (UAE, Bahrain, and Kuwait). Since 2010 they have a partner in Egypt
called (Hyper Systems Co.). We have to mention that Nedap has a very large scale
of RFID installations in European Libraries which reached 306 installations.
12
RFID Technology in the Egyptian Libraries: case study.
6.2. Installations in the Region distributed by RFID supplier
Bibliotecha
18%
Other 1%
Nedap Librix 3%
3M
Bibliotecha
3M 78%
Nedap
Other
6.3. 3M is the top RFID-supplier in the Region
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
No. of Installations
3M
Bibliotecha
Nedap
other
132
30
6
1
13
RFID Technology in the Egyptian Libraries: case study.
6.4. Saudi Arabia has the largest RFID-Installations in the Region
62
52
Number of Installations
13
10
9
6
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
Conclusion:
It became very obvious now that there is a very slow moving toward using RFID in
the Egyptian Libraries compared by the Arab Region Libraries, we can consider that the
“High Cost” is the main reason for this slowing down as shown in this study, also we
expect that “Consortium Projects” will be one of the most suitable solutions to beat this
obstacle because it aims to reduce the overall cost which will surely reflect on the
installation cost for each library individually.
Now in Egypt there are many efforts to establish an Egyptian Consortium to apply RFID
in some libraries together, this idea has been presented to many libraries in Egypt and
met with a broad welcome, so we expect to launch some actual installations in Egypt
during the coming five years.
14