Is RFID implementation in Libraries Posing a threat to LIS Professionals.

[Dr. Tarvinder Singh Handa]

Use of RFID technology has revolutionized the working process of many a libraries whereas the use of this technology has eased the functionl aspects by providing self check out-check in, drop out-drop in facilities. I have heard of libraries where there is only one person looking after acquisition process and rest of the activities (issue/return) are performed through RFID. The users of library need not come personaly for returning their issued documents, but they can do so by dropping the document in a dropin window and the concerned document is automatically returned. Is this a wake up call for we professionals as less manpower is required in RFID implemented organizations. Please give your views and discuss.

[Dr. Tarvinder Singh Handa]

Dear Mr. Gohil,

Your point view is absolutely right, but don't you think the growing trend of implementing this technology would render its effect of less recruitment on certain posts.....? 

[Hedayat Hossain]

Thank you Mr. Singh as you have raised question of RFID. But actually you are absolutely wrong because the job of Library Professional is not the returning and issuing the book to the user, it is the job of library attendant. The real job of LIS Professional is to organized the documents or information in that sense the RFID technology will not affect the job of LIS Professional but remove the recurrent job of library attendant.

[Mandira Kundu]

Positive attitude Hossain sir,but i think handa sir means all library staff i.e. frm attendant to librarian.

[Dr. Tarvinder Singh Handa]

Dear Mandira and Mr. Hossain..... I didn't mean that the Librarian, Deputy Librarian and Assistant Librarian shall have to do away with their posts. If we calculate, the majority of staff personnel in libraries consist of Library Assistant, Professional Assistants and Attendants who also are amongst us. If they lose their jobs, Won't it be a loss in that part...?

[Dr. Akhtar Hussain]

Dear Handa ji

Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID) is an exciting and fast growing technology for increasing efficiency, improving profitability and is an important area of study in today’s information environment. According to Dr.S.R.Ranganathan’s law of library science "library is a growing organism”. In this context present era is an information and technological era, users, resources and libraries and information centers are growing in extremely so that after implementation of RFID in the libraries and information centers, use of the libraries has increased and fulfill the demand of the user at the right time so save the time of users. In above said circumstance well qualify, competent and skilled staff should be obviously increase.

[Dr. Tarvinder Singh Handa]

Dear Mr. Hussain.... RFID is definitely a wonderful gift offered in library services. There is no doubt that this technology has improved the functionality of todays libraries.

Here I,m not discussing the merits this technology does offer, but the consequent loss that the future LIS professionals may face for less requirement of certain post due to RFID implementation. So ....here we need to think and discuss what can or may be the loss because every coin has two sides.

[Kulmeet Kaur]

Yes Sir , You r right . Although there are  many merit of RFID, Yet it has become threat to LIS Professional. As issue and return is also part of library work although it is performed by Library Assistant or library Attended.  I am totaly agree with u.

[Dr. Tarvinder Singh Handa]

Thanks dear Kulmeet for sharing your views.....!

[Dr. Akhtar Hussain]

Dear Mr.Tarvinder Singh Handa,

I didn’t agree if implementation of RFID technology in libraries future LIS professionals may face for fewer requirements. Library is a repository where information is acquiring processing and disseminating right information right user at the right time. The function of RFID covers user self chek-out, automatic book return (fast circulation),security system(decrease in incidence of theft),conversion station, staff service station etc.But questions is that who will do acquisition work, technical work(classification, cataloguing, data entry in library software packages).who shall provide library service to the clients charging/discharging, reference service, indexing, abstracting, CAS/SDI, reprographic and special documents service to the users, accordingly  well qualify, competent and skilled staff should be more require in future.

[Dr. Tarvinder Singh Handa]

Dear Hussain why have you been counting me the merits of RFID. I,m already aware of that and I have published my own material regarding RFID Implementation in Libraries in a book.

The discussion here is if you can count a single demerit of this technology. Just for getting an idea that what could be the reverse of it.........

[Dr. Akhtar Hussain]

Dear Handa ji,

You have already told every coin has two sides, viz merit or demerit. I think you know that RFID technology not uses only library, it is using shopping mall, big bazaar even small shops etc.Again I m saying, who will do acquisition work, technical work (classification, cataloging, data entry in library software packages).who shall provide library service i.e. reference service, indexing, abstracting, CAS/SDI, reprographic and special documents service to the users, said basic functions of libraries is any features of RFID technology implements? These are demerit of RFID. Without acquisition work,processing work,dissemination work,could not run the RFID, so that skilled staff should be require in libraries and information centre.

[Dr. Tarvinder Singh Handa]

Yes dear Hussain ji,

RFID has nothing to do with cataloguing, classification and other technical aspects of a library. This is a technique which has eased the charging and discharging process of docujments in library system. But what about thousands of professionals who are doing this duty today which shall get replaced by RFID tomorrow? They simply have to walk out their way as soon as this technology is in.....! what do you think...???

We are here to add some positive results out of this discussion.