A radio frequency identification system similar to what keeps babies safe in some high-tech hospitals and prevents fraud at major retailers is being used at Fort Leonard Wood’s Clarke Community Library to track books and help patrons check them out more quickly.
On Wednesday morning, Rebecca Johnson, civilian deputy to the commanding general of Fort Leonard Wood, unveiled the new radio frequency identification device used in the library.
“It’s really a phenomenal change in technology for us; not only is it a great efficiency benefit for the patrons but also for the staff that work here at the library,” Johnson said.
Patrons can check out their own books at a computer station since radio codes embedded in the books identify the book, Johnson said, eliminating lines at a checkout counter and also making it easier to find misplaced books.
“This type of technology has actually been used in the department of defense for tracking military supplies and vehicles,” Johnson said. “There are numerous public libraries around the nation using this RFID to replace bar codes; they have discovered that this technology substantially improves their ability to serve the public.”
Fort Leonard Wood’s library will be one of the first in Missouri to get the system, according to Claretta Crawford, chief of academic services at the library.
“The University of Missouri system does not even have this; it’s pretty cool,” said . “The St. Louis County Library is implementing this technology in two of their 20 branches, but they’re not there yet.”
The new system should speed up checkout time as well as freeing up staff for other tasks, Crawford said.