NFC AND LIBRARIES
Libraries have investigated and implemented wireless data transfer technologies
with a wide range of success.22 As customers begin to use their NFC enabled
smartphones for more and more transactions, they will soon expect to be
able to use them at libraries like they can at stores or gas stations. While
NFC may be considered to be just another wireless technology, it is one that
has potential applications in the delivery and support of library services and
should be investigated and piloted. While still very early in the research and
adoption stage, NFC has the potential to augment many existing library
services.
eLibrary Cards
Implementing some method to identify and verify a library customer would
be an essential step in the deployment of any NFC services, whether it needs
to be a physical NFC enabled identification card or one which is electronically
embedded into a device. Since the library does not often have any
input into institutional ID systems, early NFC adopters might need some sort
of a parallel ID system. At the 2013 North American International Auto Show,
auto manufacturer Ford has a promotion program utilizing the Ford Blue
Oval card.23 Each attendee interested in the promotion entered their information
at a kiosk and it was associated with a serial numbered card. The card
has a tag allowed attendees to tap “Like” and save digital content, including
videos, to view later online. The card enabled attendees to vote for a favorite
car, win prizes, and share experiences with friends. While such an on-site
on-the-fly system would not be the best for extending borrowing privileges
unless it was integrated into the integrated library system, such an approach
could be used for other library promotions and services.