Radio Frequency Identification Machines at BPL

This is one of the Radio Frequency Identification machines the Berkeley Public Libraries - Central, North, Claremont, West and South - have been using for about five years now, but you would be surprised that there are still lots of people who do not know how these simple self check out machines work.

It is much easier and much simpler to use than the Automatic Teller Machine at the bank. The screen asks you to choose either English or Spanish. Then it will show you how to scan your library card barcode. Picture instructions are on your right, a readout of your name and materials that you've checked out is on the left.



After you scan your barcode, a video instruction shows you how to place your a stack of books (three or four) on the platform in front of you.



The reading on the left shows the list of materials that you have checked out so far.




If you check out DVDs (or music CDs) you will then need to press "continue", the instructions will show a picture of the locker box and how to put the DVDs in one at a time.



Put the DVD in.


Give it a little push.


It will pop out when it's done. A small red square on the right side of the box means locked, silver means open. Keep doing the same until you finish unlocking all DVDs.



The machine will give you the receipt at the end with due date for your materials and a list of things that you have checked out.



Take your receipt and you are done. Simple, painless and fast. I timed the process and it usually takes about one second for each item. The trick is not to place anything on or near the platform before you scan your card bar code. The machine can only do one thing at a time - first it has to read your card before it can read your book or whatever, and then just follow the instructions on the screen.

I taught my son, Bao how to use this self checkout when they first put it out, he was nine at the time and now he's the expert in using these RFIDs. It really bugs me when I hear an adult complaining about them or not knowing how to use them. One man said: "These are stupid machines, they never work. I have been using them for hundreds of times, but they always give me trouble." Others said: "I want a human contact, I hate machines." I observed a middle aged man taught his young daughter how to use it the wrong way by trying to put the book bar code under the card scanner. I told the daughter that the machine does not read the book barcode, just place it on the platform. The man got mad and said "It does read the bar code, see!" I replied "That's because she places it on the platform." The next time he would have his daughter doing the same, but one book was too thick to fit under the card scanner so he had her flatten up the book instead - open it half way so the book barcode will fit. I said "Sir! it's not reading the bar code." But he wouldn't have it "Why you keep messing her up!" So I let them be, they will find out one of these days when they encounter a very thick book that will not fit under the card scanner either way. I hope.

People who hate these RFID machines are even more ridiculous, but they do come in to use the computers and the OPAC. How can you hate machines when we are surrounded by them: phones, washers, dryers, rice cookers, cars, airplanes, clocks, computers, ATMs, VCRs, DVDs, TVs, microwaves, and so many others. They are wonderful tools and inventions that make our works and lives easier. I wonder if these people use any of these machines at all? But most people old and young like these self checkouts. They said things like: "Wow! They are great! I love these! Wonderful machines! Fast and easy to use!" and I agreed with them full heartedly: "I like them too, aren't they great?"