BEYOND THE BARCODE

In his message on the 25th anniversary of JRU as a university last October 2, 2025, Dr. Vicente K. Fabella, president of Jose Rizal University, reminisced about the physical changes in the campus since the year 2000. One in particular is of the Main Library being remodeled for modern times, hence getting its distinctive glass walls.

President Vicente K. Fabella mentions the modernization of the library in his message on the 25th anniversary of JRU as a university.

It is in this same progression that the library continues to evolve, most recently with its introduction of RFID technology. You might have heard the term already! Going Wireless

RFID is short for Radio-Frequency Identification. It is a system that (as the name suggests) uses radio waves to identify and track RFID tags attached to objects, animals, or even people! (Think of wristbands or badges in concerts or music festivals.)

You might have already encountered RFID technology without realizing it!

This technology is similar to a barcode, but with significant advantages because it is wireless (meaning you don't need to point a scanner at a tag directly for it to work). It can hold more data (not just 12 digits), can simultaneously read hundreds of tags instead of simply one at a time, and can also read smeared or faded tags.

Updated Technology in the Library

Phew, with all that said, you might've noticed some shiny new apparatus in our libraries. WISERF Technologies has installed an RFID Library Security System and added several hardware: smart tags, security gates, a Self-check Kiosk, and a Book Drop. Awesome!

Students and staff can check out books personally at the Self-check Kiosk.

This means more efficient scanning and faster inventory. If you haven’t already, come see these additions for yourself at the Main and Tower libraries. You have to admit, they look cool, right?

Ah yes, the future is now!

And that's where we'll see each other again, Lib Lifers: the future! Remember to visit every now and then for updates. As always, have a healthy lib life!