Recently someone sent me a link to this interesting company, Visionary Technology in Library Solutions (VTLS).

They have a tight vertical market focus on the library industry, providing libraries with resource management systems. One of their products, FASTRAC, incorporates RFID.

The FASTRAC system allows the library to manage its assets (books, CDs, etc.) faster and better. Check-out is faster, because multiple items can be checked out simultaneously and quickly. The product even allows patrons to do self check-out, freeing up library staff to focus on higher value-add tasks, instead of routine clerical tasks like check-out.

Another benefit with RFID tracking is that assets like books can be kept more secure. In other words, patrons can't walk out with items stuffed into briefcases, purses or coat pockets without first checking out.

The management team is headed by Vinod Chachra, CEO who has considerable experience in library science. The rest of the team appears to rounded out with people experienced in the library industry and in library science, as well as technology.

I think it won't be long before all large libraries will be using RFID systems. It makes too much sense not to.