REIMAGINING THE PATRON EXPERIENCE WITH SEAMLESS AUTOMATION.
Beyond the Barcode
Libraries are community hubs, but librarians often feel like warehouse workers. Hours are spent manually checking books in and out, sorting returns, and searching for mis-shelved items using line-of-sight barcode scanners.
Patrons want convenience. They want to grab a book and go, or return it 24/7 without waiting in line. Traditional EM security strips protect against theft but offer no inventory intelligence.
The result is a friction-filled experience where staff are buried in administrative tasks instead of engaging with the community.
Key Pain Points
Repetitive Strain
Manual scanning of thousands of books causes repetitive strain injuries (RSI) for staff.
Lost Inventory
A mis-shelved book is a lost book. Without RFID, finding a book placed on the wrong shelf is a needle-in-a-haystack search.
Queues
Peak times create long lines at the circulation desk, frustrating patrons.
Tap, Drop, Done
Nextwaves brings the library into the modern age with HF/NFC and UHF RFID solutions. We insert a thin, invisible RFID tag into the spine or cover of every book.
Self-Checkout Kiosks allow patrons to stack 5-10 books at once on the pad. The system reads them all instantly, deactivates the security bit, and prints a receipt in seconds.
Smart Return Chutes (AMH) accept books 24/7. As the book slides down the chute, it is scanned, checked in, and even automatically sorted into bins for re-shelving. Staff can use handheld wands to sweep shelves, instantly finding lost books and verifying order.
Why Nextwaves?
- Custom tags for rare/delicate manuscripts
- Integration with major ILS (SirsiDynix, Polaris, Koha)
- Aesthetic hardware that blends into modern library design
Community ROI
Self-Service
Empower patrons to check out and return items instantly, reducing lines.
Smart Inventory
Find a mis-shelved book in seconds by just walking down the aisle with a wand.
24/7 Returns
Automated book drops update the patron's account immediately.
Staff Freedom
Librarians move from 'book handlers' to 'information specialists'.
Deep Dive: ISO 28560
We adhere to the ISO 28560 standard for RFID in libraries. This ensures interoperability between different library systems.
We typically recommend HF (13.56 MHz) for public libraries due to its precision and privacy, but UHF is gaining traction for large academic archives requiring high-speed inventory. Our 'Hybrid Tags' can support both legacy barcode and new RFID systems simultaneously during transition.
A new central library wanted to open with a 'staff-less' circulation model to maximize budget for community programs.
The Future: The Open Library
RFID enables the 'Open Library' concept, allowing registered patrons to access the library during unstaffed hours using their RFID member card and the self-service infrastructure.