SFPL RFID Plan Moves Ahead
By Staff -- Library Journal, 8/15/2004
Despite citizen concerns about privacy, two San Francisco supervisors have put forth a resolution to allow the San Francisco Public Library (SFPL) to explore radio frequency identification (RFID) technology. The 2–1 decision was made at a Budget Committee meeting on July 2. The library commission voted on May 6 to request $300,000 in its city-supported budget for FY04/05 for the beginning stages of the project.
"Today's decision...provides the library with a much needed road map to move forward with the process," said Susan Hildreth, former city librarian who has been named California State Librarian. "The library will issue a request for proposal (RFP) for RFID and report back to the Board of Supervisors on its findings before any money is spent. The library takes the concerns raised about this technology very seriously and anticipates that SFPL can be a leader in the library field by ensuring RFID systems incorporate technologies to ensure user privacy."
