South Korean University of Incheon Library Automates Operations with RFID

The University of Incheon in South Korea has automated its library operations with RFID. The university’s newly built library, Haksan, utilizes RaceTrack HF RFID tags from UPM Raflatac, coupled with a complete library automation solution from ECO.

The move away from the previously used barcode technology became opportune as the university began building its new campus and Haksan library in Songdo in 2009. Located close to Seoul, Songdo is a completely planned and sustainable international city in the Incheon Free Economic Zone. It is the new hub for innovation in the region and is world-famous for its use of new technologies.

In the first phase, the Haksan library tagged 500,000 educational and research items. Thanks to the RFID-enabled library automation solution, the university’s 10,000 students are now able to enjoy the benefits of faster book circulation and easy to use self-service check-in/out stations. In addition, the RFID solution allows students to use their credit cards for library transactions, eliminating the need to carry a library patron card.

For library staff the automation means a significant reduction in the time previously lost on laborious and tedious tasks related to book circulation and inventories. The staff can now allocate more of their working hours on more important tasks and focus on better serving their customers.

Highly satisfied with the successful RFID implementation at the Haksan library, the University of Incheon plans on expanding the use of RFID to the library of its Jemulpo campus.