SFPL Postpones RFID Plans

-- Library Journal, 02/01/2005

Faced with a $600,000 budget shortfall, the San Francisco Public Library chose to save half of that by postponing its planned $300,000 expenditure for radio frequency identification (RFID) at one branch, AV materials at the Main Library, and new materials systemwide. "It was an easy decision, given that we didn't have approval to spend [the money]," said Marcia Schneider, acting Deputy City Librarian. For the next fiscal year, which starts in July, Main Library chief Kathy Lawhun said the library will propose spending $750,000 to install RFID at the Main and six of 27 branches--collapsing two years of the planned six-year project into one. The $750,000 in city funds would cover tagging materials at those buildings, as well as all new materials. The library would use another $500,000 in gift funds for equipment.

The budget will not be finalized until hearings before the Board of Supervisors in June and July. The entire plan has been projected to cost 2.85 million, including $1.55 million from the library budget and $1.29 million in fundraising. Lawhun said the American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California and the Electronic Frontier Foundation are monitoring the situation. The library has faced criticism from some citizens and privacy advocates about its RFID plan.