The main building and the Philadelphiabrücke branch of the Vienna municipal libraries have updated their software to create the basis for standardizing their entire media stocks. When RFID was introduced in 2003, the media chips were created using a data model that was current at the time. In the meantime, the Danish ISO data model has been developed which requires significantly less memory capacity and works more efficiently: today this model is an international standard.

In the first stage of the process Bibliotheca RFID Library Systems implemented a software update in Vienna in order to secure two key aspects: Firstly, the BiblioChip RFID system is able to read and process different data models equally efficiently. And secondly, obsolete data models can be automatically converted to the new, current Danish ISO data model by means of functionalities inherent in the software. This change of configuration, called converting “on the fly”, is activated remotely and runs automatically in the background every time a media item is checked in or out until the entire library collection has been updated to the latest data model.
The following is essential in this process: The new data model is not only read – the chips are actually reconfigured or updated with the new data model. Current standardization guidelines are thus implemented one-to-one. “In the long term this provides the library with enormous technical benefits and fundamentally secures the database. If software was installed which only enabled diverse data models to be processed, there would be no guarantee of 100 percent compatibility with other systems in the future”, explains CTO Christian Camenzind.

The second stage was to harmonize the hardware, i.e. the work performed by the readers and the aerial configuration. The ring labels of the CDs/DVDs can now be perfectly identified and processed, just like the book labels. AV media, especially CDs and DVDs, account for twenty percent of the 360,000 media in the main library and of the 70,000 media in the Philadelphiabrücke branch

“Thanks to outstanding collaboration, this project ran extremely efficiently and professionally for both sides," says Eva Oberleitner, RFID Coordinator in the IT department of the Vienna Municipal Libraries. “By opting for the new 1 kbit Philips chips we are able to cut costs significantly – and stay up-to-date at the same time.”

Within a very short period of time, eight public desk workplaces, 12 internal desk workplaces and 12 automatic check-out points were updated. Existing customer configurations at the automatic check-out points are simply carried over. The connection with the BOND software was no problem at all.

These successes have already delivered tangible results: "We are pleased to say that since June 2007 three other branches have converted to the BiblioChip RFID system," adds Torsten Daseler, Bibliotheca RFID Project Manager. The branches in Erdbergstrasse (38,000 media), Bernoullistrasse (51,400 media) and Perchtoldsdorferstrasse (38,000) media are central institutions for their districts and are among the most frequented outlets. During the summer months, the installations were closed down successively so that both patrons and staff were able to benefit from the new technology as of September 2007.

For more information on the library see www.buechereien.wien.at