India's Panjab U Library Pursues 24-Hour Service with 3M Automation

• By Dian Schaffhauser
• 12/11/08

Panjab University Library in Chandigarh, the capital of the Punjab region in northwest India, will be implementing a radio frequency identification (RFID) system from 3M Library Systems for circulation and inventory management and security. With the implementation, the library hopes to be able to remain open 24 hours a day, once the installation has gone through a trial period.

3M Library Systems will integrate and install the RFID systems, and do staff training. The library, officially known as the A.C. Joshi Library, will receive an initial volume of 400,000 RFID tags, which the vendor has guaranteed for the life of the objects to which they are attached; two SelfCheck System R-Series units for unassisted customer checkouts; a SelfCheck System C-Series book drop for automated returns; two Model 8900 single-aisle detection systems for security; and two Digital Library Assistants for collection management.

This first full-scale library RFID installation in India is expected to be completed by mid-January. The library contains about 700,000 books and audio/visual items. Panjab University has 9,000 students.

"We conducted very intensive research into this technology and its vendors, consulting with libraries in India and many other countries," said V.K. Anand, chief librarian. "The road led us to 3M because of its experience, accomplishments in this field, and reputation for supporting its installations."