RFID: the big player in the libraries of the future

Purpose - This paper aims to propose the idea of developing an automatic Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)-based system for library search and to examine the existing literature to determine whether current technology and developed RFID-based systems are helpful for building that. To fully understand its key points, adoptions, risks, and benefits, the fundamentals of radio frequency are to be identified and reviewed. Some applications of radio frequency identification in library systems and various industries are to be briefly discussed and four related cases reviewed. Design/methodology/approach - The paper identifies key benefits and risks of radio frequency identification through review of library literature and case studies. For this purpose, four cases are reviewed from the entire industry and then key features of those cases are matched with the requirements of the big pictures' RFID-based system to determine the current level of the RFID-based system development. Findings - To make library systems functional and successfully operational RFID solutions can be used to reduce operating costs through decreasing the labor costs, enhancing automation, improving tracking and tracing, and preventing the loss of materials under any circumstances. Originality/value - The proposed automated RFID-based system is a novel idea by itself. Owing to the fact that better management of books and materials becomes possible, materials are not lost, theft is avoided, and patrons are served on time and correctly.