PROVO, Utah—Middlesex University (London, U.K.) will install a radio frequency identification (RFID) system at its new Hendon Campus Library, achieving the first U.K. installation of the industry-leading RFID system developed by Bibliotheca of Switzerland, a Dynix partner in providing RFID technology. The system will be supplied and installed by D-Tech Direct, the sole U.K. distributor of Bibliotheca systems.

Middlesex University has been a Dynix customer since 1994 and is ranked as one of the top 20 U.K. universities according to the recently published Guardian University League Table. Middlesex will install its new RFID system by September 2004, when the Hendon Campus Library is scheduled to open. The RFID system will be fully integrated with the library's deployment of the Horizon Information Management System, enabling faster circulation, an easy-to-use self-service facility, and improved security and inventory tracking for the library's collection. Tagging of the library's collection began in early June.

Both the Hendon Campus Library and the new RFID system are part of the university's ambitious regeneration plan, designed to offer the very best teaching facilities to its students. The new £12 million learning resource centre at the Hendon Campus will provide advanced language and media facilities to enhance autonomous learning opportunities for students. The centre will offer students the latest information technology services.

"The RFID system from Dynix is much more than a security system. It offers opportunities for stock control beyond those used in a conventional security system," said William Marsterson, head of Information and Learning Resource Services. "This will improve our ability to help students use modern self-managed library processes and will give them greater flexibility in accessing library stock."

During the process of selecting a system, key Middlesex University staff visited a library in Switzerland to see the technology demonstrated in a live setting. Additionally, the staff received onsite demos from D-Tech Direct at the university. Following an enthusiastic response to the demonstrations and to final discussions with all parties at the Library and Information Show in April, a specific system configuration was planned to meet the library's needs.

For more than 10 years, Bibliotheca has been developing the next generation of intelligent Radio Frequency Library Systems. Its technology now incorporates a highly effective security element with an easy identification process. The user-friendly technology allows stock/media items to be issued or returned quickly and easily, thus saving library staff time. The issue and return of multiple books and having one label for both self-issue and security provide additional benefits.

Training for the Middlesex RFID system will be provided by Dynix partner D-Tech Direct. D-Tech Direct recently demonstrated the Bibliotheca RFID system at the Dynix/Horizon User Group Conference in Edinburgh July 7 to 9.