Notice Inviting Tender for RFID Based Library Automation System (Mandatorily through e-Tendering only)

Malaviya National Institute of Technology Jaipur 

The Institute invites quotations for RFID based library automation system, through e-procurement only. For details visit: www.tenderwizard.com/MNIT or www.mnit.ac.in Last date: 13.01.2014

Souce: http://www.mnit.ac.in/new/cms/uploads/2013/12/Library_Automation_NIT_06_12_2013.pdf

Madras University Library Celebrations draw flak

The library of the University of Madras is now embroiled in yet another controversy with senior professors raising questions about the timing of the post-centenary celebrations slated for September 25.

The fete takes place even as the library has remained headless for about four years with several big ticket projects struggling to take off.

Sources in the university said that the celebrations have been organised 5 years after the library completed its centenary in 2007. About Rs 9 lakh had been sanctioned for the event. However, what has raised eyebrows is the timing, as vice-chancellor G Thiruvasagam’s tenure is set to end in October.

Speaking to Express, a senior professors said the historic library has been in neglect as far as administration is concerned. While the last full-fledged librarian retired in 2008, the post remained vacant ever since. This was despite two rounds of advertisements calling for applications. Also, there was an attempt recently by the administration to promote a deputy librarian to the post of librarian, which was defeated.

Statutes, a Syndicate member pointed out, clearly stated that the post could only be filled by direct recruitment and not through promotion.

A senior Senate member said the digitization of theses that began in 2006 was halted half way for two years and has now been restarted after negotiations with the contractor.

This apart, while an UGC notification in 2009 provided for electronic submission of theses by students through an MoU with the INFLIBNET centre, no efforts have been made to carry forward this project.

“Over 70 Universities have already done it. If MU had gone ahead, assistance would have been provided for installing anti-plagiarism software in the library, improving the overall quality of research scholars,” said a senior Senate member, who wished not to be named. While the V-C had promised the installation of the software last year, efforts on this front had been wanting, the member said.

Another project that has failed to take off is the introduction of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags for efficient cataloguing, now in place in almost all major varsities in the country.

Senior professors said while the focus should have been on recruitment of a qualified librarian and the implementation of all modernization projects, for which Rs 3.20 crore was allocated, the varsity was going ahead in a hurried manner with the celebrations, five years after the library completed its centenary. Vice-chancellor G Thiruvasagam could not be contacted for comments.

Source: Indian Express, 22 September 2012

RFID System for Library Management

RFID for library management consists of a tag (also called smart label) that has been programmed with the book details, a reader or an antenna that transmits radio waves, and a host computer for processing. As the reader transmits radio waves, the RFID tag comes in contact with electromagnetic waves and reads the activation signal sent by the reader. The data stored on the tag is decoded by the reader and transmitted to the computer for further processing (exchange of information with library database). The technology does not need any type of physical contact with the object to retrieve information from it; there is also no restriction on communication as posed by the line of sight.

Benefits of RFID System for Library Management:

For Patrons

1. The system allows auto check-in/ check-out facilities to the patrons. So it makes it easy and less time consuming to borrow and return a book.

2. The libraries where an RFID chute is installed on the external walls, patrons can return books without the help of library staff.

3. The system lets the users have a receipt of every transaction they initiate.

4. Faster re-shelving makes it quicker and more efficient for the users to locate items.

For Library Staff

1. RFID library management system makes it less cumbersome and more efficient for the staff to handle their regular tasks.

2. Saves a great deal of their time; this is in return, allows them to serve the users in a better way.

3. Prevents them from doing a work over and over again.Since its inception,, a wireless system for identification and tracking of books, has become a rage in the field of library automation. With more and more libraries turning to this system for retrieving electronically stored information, there has been a considerable change in the way a library functions.

Other Benefits

1. The System prevents any breach of security; hence the chances of books being stolen are reduced to a great extent.

2. Helps in an effective inter-library communication

3. Inventory in a RFID library is controlled in a much better manner.

4. There is uniformity of the format in which labeling is done for all the items in a library: books, magazines, brochures, CDs, and DVDs

5. Multiple items can be scanned at a time as against the manual scanning of a single item at a time.

Those looking for smart solutions for their libraries can opt for RFID based LMS.