A Brief Analysis of Intelligent Library Management Systems Built Using IoT RFID Technology

　　1. Project Background

　　According to research and analysis, there are currently over ten thousand libraries nationwide, and most libraries have transitioned from purely manual management to digital management models using barcode recognition, computer networks, and computer software technologies. Building intelligent library management systems using IoT RFID technology has become a key demand for libraries today.

　　2. Project requirements analysis

　　Currently, libraries use books, borrow, and return books in all their processes, but barcode technology is used for identification. However, barcodes are easily worn out due to constant use and borrowing, limited storage space, inconvenient to use inside the book, and quick wear on the outside. This is not entirely suitable for libraries or large crowds.

　　3. Advantages of RFID Technology Applications

　　By linking book barcodes with electronic tags, book association management is achieved. Electronic tags can be placed inside books using adhesive tape or built-in chips. Readers can borrow and return autonomously through automatic borrowing and return machine casings. Administrators can use the inventory machine to regularly check library books, and functions such as finding shelves can be realized. Equipped with a security door equipped with an ultra-high frequency reader/writer, it can collect data from books entering and exiting to prevent illegal book loss.

　　The RFID technology used in libraries mainly focuses on HF and UHF frequency bands, which can be applied to related media within libraries to meet other application needs.

　　4. RFID library management planning

　　RFID library management system hardware includes radio frequency collection devices, automatic book borrowing and return devices, database servers, switches, and security door detection. These devices use transmission interfaces such as RS-485, Ethernet, or GPRS in the switch, enabling effective integration of various devices to jointly serve the library management system.

　　5. Library Management System Management Planning

　　5.1 Network Architecture Diagram

　　5.2 System Management Function Planning

　　Based on the different business needs of libraries, our company has planned the system into modules such as basic data maintenance, book borrowing management, new book order management, book statistics management, RFID management, and system setup.

　　5.3 Function Description

　　5.3.1 Basic Data Maintenance

　　Basic data maintenance mainly involves managing and querying reader information, book information, and book categories.

　　5.3.2 Book Lending Management

　　The book lending system mainly manages the lending and returning business for effective purposes, including borrowing books, returning books, book maintenance management, and book disposal management.

　　5.3.3 New Book Order Management

　　New book order management mainly covers new book ordering, new book acceptance, new book storage, and new book inquiry.

　　5.3.4 Library Statistics Management

　　Book statistics and management mainly focus on inventory of various types of books in the library, including borrowing statistics, and return statistics.

　　5.3.5 RFID Application Management

　　RFID application management mainly targets RFID tag conversion, security gate entry and exit monitoring, self-service borrowing and return management systems, and mobile inventory counting.

　　5.3.6 System Settings

　　System settings mainly focus on user management, password changes, permission settings, and system optimization.

　　6. Project construction advantages

　　Simplified processes and improved efficiency

　　Currently, the book borrowing and returning process generally uses barcode scanning systems. Barcode data is collected through fixed or handheld barcode scanners. The scanning operation requires manually opening the book and locating the barcode position to scan. The process is relatively complicated and inefficient for borrowing and returning. Introducing RFID technology enables dynamic, fast, large-data, and intelligent book borrowing and returning processes, improving the security of information storage, reliability of reading and writing, and efficient and fast borrowing and returning.

　　System expansion enhances safety

　　By optimizing the existing library management system through an RFID intelligent library management system, the anti-theft system is linked with the book circulation management system, recording the inbound and outbound history of each book, thereby matching with the borrowing and returning history. This can effectively improve the accuracy of anti-theft systems and ensure book security.

　　Reduce workload and improve job satisfaction

　　Due to years of repetitive labor, library staff have a heavy workload. Relying on manual book inventory is heavy, which easily leads to negative attitudes toward the work. Additionally, readers are dissatisfied with the complex process of borrowing and returning books, which has led to a decline in satisfaction with library work. Through the RFID intelligent library management system, staff can be freed from the heavy and repetitive daily tasks of libraries, and personalized services can be customized for different readers, enabling user-friendly workflows and improving reader satisfaction with library work.

　　Strong retention of label data and long service life

　　Barcodes store limited data and are prone to moisture, pollution, and other limitations, which greatly restrict library management. Moreover, electronic tags have a large storage area, data retention lasting over 100 years, and combined with waterproof, anti-magnetic, and high-temperature resistance, RFID electronic tags have a much longer lifespan than barcodes. Thanks to the non-contact reading method, each electronic tag can be read at least 100,000 times, and once applied, the tag can be used for a long time.