The Internet of Things (IoT) is not a new idea. In fact, many sources trace the concept and the name back to a decade before the internet as we know it today even existed.
This has actually become a bit of a controversial topic in recent years, but we aren't about to wade too deeply into that. We'll just note that some credit Peter T. Lewis with coining the term during a speech to the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation in 1985, while others say it originated in 1999 during a presentation by British technology pioneer Kevin Ashton.
If there is some debate over who first named it, we can all agree on what the Internet of Things is. According to IBM, the IoT "refers to a network of physical devices, vehicles, appliances, and other physical objects that are embedded with sensors, software, and network connectivity, allowing them to collect and share data".
And while the idea might not be new, the rapid acceleration of development in AI, automation, location-based services and mobile technology have made it even more relevant.
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Chances are, you don't reside in a fully connected smart home, but you likely live with at least one or two IoT devices. The technology has transformed a number of industries, from farming to health care.
As the PressReader blog has previously explored, the Internet of Things has made an impact on the hospitality industry, in the form of smart hotel rooms.
Such rooms typically rely on a network of connected devices and software systems that work together to automate various tasks and provide personalized services to guests.
These devices may include sensors that detect occupancy and adjust room settings accordingly, voice-activated virtual assistants that allow guests to easily adjust various aspects of their room, and smart locks that allow guests to enter their room using their smartphone or a key card.
In smart rooms, guests have the ability to adjust environmental factors, such as room temperature and lighting to suit their personal needs, often through the use of a mobile app or an in-room device such as a tablet.
Smart libraries might still seem like a thing of the future, but the fact is, the technology to make them a reality is already here.
The Internet of Things (IoT) can enhance library operations, services and user experience in a variety of innovative ways. Here are some examples:
RFID tags and smart shelving: Libraries can use radio frequency identification tags and smart shelving to automatically track book locations. When books are moved or misplaced on library shelves, the system can alert librarians, reducing the time spent on inventory checks and locating items.
Automated book sorting and returns: IoT-powered systems can help automatically sort returned books and place them in their appropriate sections, or even notify users when their reserved books are available.
In an article on the IFLA website, Anton Purnik from the Russian State Library for Young Adults in Moscow explained how such a system functions:
When a customer returns a book, the system detects it, confirms its acceptance, and then using special conveyors puts the book into the right bin that belongs to a certain department.
If a library user finds a book in the catalog, borrowed by someone else, he/she makes a reservation and when the book is returned through the automatic station, it goes to a special bin for ordered books. The patron immediately receives a message or email that the book is available. All books from this bin are transferred to the special bookshelves located at the library’s entrance, so that patrons do not spend much time searching for their orders.
Smart lighting and climate control: Libraries can use smart sensors to see energy consumption and monitor foot traffic, automatically adjusting lighting and HVAC systems to optimize energy use and maintain comfortable conditions.
Occupancy monitoring: IoT sensors can measure room usage and help manage occupancy, which is especially useful for study rooms or computer labs, indicating when spaces are available.
Asset security: IoT-enabled security tags on valuable materials and other objects can trigger alerts if they are moved outside a designated area, protecting rare collections or expensive equipment.
Real-time video surveillance and emergency alerts: IoT-based surveillance systems with AI capabilities can help identify unauthorized access or suspicious activity, notifying staff in real time for quicker response.
Personalized recommendations and notifications: Libraries could use IoT-enabled apps or smart screens that interact with users’ devices to provide personalized book recommendations, upcoming events, or workshop reminders based on previous checkouts or preferences.
Digital wayfinding: IoT-enabled signage or mobile apps can guide patrons to the locations of books and other library resources, study rooms, or library events, saving time and reducing the need for manual assistance.
User activity analytics: Libraries can gather and store data generated by IoT sensors to anonymously track user behavior, such as which areas are frequently visited or which resources are most used, helping optimize layout and services.
Resource utilization: Libraries can better understand resource use (computers, printers, media rooms) through IoT, using the data collected from these to improve scheduling and management of popular resources.
Assistive technology: IoT can help library staff provide assistive technology for users with disabilities, such as devices that adjust lighting, audio or text size in response to user needs. (Read about how PressReader's Accessibility mode was designed to help patrons with special needs enjoy thousands of the world's top newspapers and magazines.)
Automated check-in and reservation systems: IoT-enabled kiosks can streamline self-service, allowing patrons to check out books, reserve rooms or join events with minimal staff interaction.
Integrating IoT in libraries can greatly enhance user experiences and streamline operations, helping libraries serve as modern, adaptive information hubs.