READIT-2007 - Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research

writes, injures, defaces, cuts, mutilates and destruction of library materials within the
library premises.
The other non-electronic security systems include various types of window
protection with locks, grills, guards, bars, screens and films, door protection, display
case protection and dummy security devises which ensure that criminals and
miscreants do not have uncontrolled access to the library collections.
Electronic Security Systems
In the middle ages, books were protected by curses as there were no
electronic security systems. But, today, we have electronic security systems which can
help the libraries to control, minimize or avoid library material theft and unethical
losses.
Electronic security systems are not only available in advanced countries like
USA and UK. They are available in the developing countries as well. The following
are some of the major electronic security systems available for libraries viz., (a)
Electromagnetic System; (b) Electronic Surveillance Cameras; and (c) Radio
Frequency IDentification (RFID) System.
Electro-Magnetic System
The Electro-magnetic (EM) security system is little bit old technology which
was used in libraries for decades. It is dominant in Europe and used by many libraries
around the world. In this technology, a magnetic, iron-containing strip with an
adhesive layer is attached to the library material. This strip is not removed at
checkout; it is simply deactivated by a scanner that uses a specific highly intense
magnetic field. One of the advantages of the EM strip is that it can be re-activated and
used at a low cost.
Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID) System
RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) is the latest technology widely used
by academic libraries to combat library material theft. RFID-based systems move
beyond security to become tracking systems that combine security with more efficient
tracking of materials throughout the library, including easier and faster charge and
discharge, inventorying, and materials handling.
RFID is a combination of radio-frequency-based technology and microchip
technology. The information contained on microchips in the tags affixed to library
materials is read using radio frequency technology regardless of item orientation or
alignment and distance from the item is not a critical factor except in the case of
extra-wide exit gates. The corridors at the building exit(s) can be as wide as four feet
because the tags can be read at a distance of up to two feet by each of two parallel exit
sensors.
RFID tags replace both the EM security strips and barcode. It simplifies user
self check-out and check-in. It can handle any type of material including video and
audio tapes. RFID anti-theft detection is really innovative and safe. It ensures highspeed
inventory and identification of items that are out of proper order in the library
collection.
RFID security system has been installed in the Libraries of Indra Gandhi
Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR), Kalpakkam and Anna University, Chennai.
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