Case Study A Digital Library Card 

Related Vendors

Elatec GmbH

Taiwan Machine Tool & Accessory Builders' Association (TMBA)

Patrons of Stadtbibliothek Dorsten (Dorsten City Library) have a new option when it comes to self-checkout. Instead of pulling out a library card, they can now check out books using their mobile phone—no app required.

The library card has unlocked a world of reading and other resources for generations of library patrons. However, in the digital era, many people would prefer to streamline their physical wallets and use mobile credentialing systems instead. Stadtbibliothek Dorsten wanted to give their patrons the option of using their smartphones for self-checkout of library materials. Moving to smartphone checkout would streamline library operations and reduce the costs associated with distributing and managing physical cards. It would also be more convenient for self-checkout users, eliminating the need to carry a separate card. The library had thousands of existing patron records that they wanted to transition to digital passes. To ensure an easy transition from RFID cards to smartphone checkout, the new system would need to use the same data format for user credentials. The system also needed to be highly reliable and secure to protect both library materials and user data.

Digital Wallet & RFID: A New Chapter for Dorsten Library Access

ELATEC and idVation developed a two-part solution for Stadtbibliothek Dorsten: an RFID reader integrated into their self-checkout terminals and a digital wallet pass that acts as the user credential. Together, the two technologies act as a lock and key to unlock access to library materials. 

The mobile wallet pass works on both Android and iOS devices using Near-Field Communication (NFC) technology. NFC supports the same data types and formats as an RFID card and operates at the same frequency as HF RFID (13.56 MHz). It thus acts as a card emulator, enabling patrons to use their smartphones for contactless authentication at self-checkout. NFC’s short read range (just a few centimeters) is ideal for secure data transmission.

The digital passes were configured to match the same data formats used in existing library cards, simplifying the implementation and enabling the library to easily import legacy user data. ELATEC’s software tools, SimpleProtocol API and Director.exe, allow the required user information to be easily extracted from patrons’ existing RFID cards. Afterward, the library was able to adjust their requirements with the AppBlaster tool. 
The ELATEC TWN4 MultiTech 2 HF reader was integrated into the library self-checkout terminals. The single-frequency reader supports virtually any 13.56 MHz technology, including NFC. That provides flexibility for the library, allowing them to easily transition from existing RFID cards to smartphone authentication or to support both at once for different user groups. 

Getting started with digital wallet passes is easy for end users, too. Patrons can obtain a pass with just one click via a QR code at the library front desk or through a link sent by email. To install their pass initially, they simply authenticate themselves at the front desk using their existing library card. There is no separate app to download; the mobile credential just sits in the user’s digital wallet on their smartphone. Checking out books and other library materials is now as simple as waving their phone at the self-checkout terminal. 

The digital wallet system is easier for both the library and its patrons. Eliminating physical cards reduces administrative time and costs associated with member management. Users can easily set up their own accounts to further minimize bureaucracy and enhance efficiency. The digital library card system is the first of its kind in Dorsten and is still a novelty among libraries globally. But with user adoption and satisfaction high in Dorsten, other library systems are sure to follow.

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