A presentation given by Sheli McHugh and Kristen Yarmey in October 2011 at the Pennsylvania Library Association annual conference in State College, PA.
Near Field Communication (NFC) is a new technology that allows devices such as cell phones to transmit information wirelessly across a small distance. While it has many commercial applications (e.g., using your cell phone as a credit card at the grocery store), NFC could also have future applications for libraries as a new way to link physical materials with digital information. Placing particular attention on cataloging, metadata, and circulation, this presentation will discuss potential strategies for utilizing NFC in libraries, from peer to peer loaning to embedding catalog records in books.
2. Sheli McHugh (@shelitwits)
Cataloging & Metadata Librarian, University of Scranton
Kristen Yarmey (@kristenyt)
Digital Services Librarian, University of Scranton
16. When is it coming?
• Already popular in Asia
• Some phones already NFC enabled
– Samsung Nexus S, Galaxy S II
– BlackBerry Bold 9900 and 9930
– Nokia C7, N9
– HTC Ruby
– Other phones via SIM or microSD card
…iPhone 5?
17.
18. When is it coming?
• By 2012, “everyone will know what horse
we’re betting on.” (James Anderson, MasterCard)
• By 2014, 1 in 5 cell phones will be NFC-
enabled (Juniper)
• By 2015, 1 in 2 cell phones will be NFC-
enabled (Sy Choudhury, Qualcomm)
… but will consumers be interested?
27. Mobile payment
“Anyone who thinks they
can build a wallet is going
to build a wallet.”
(Omar Green, Intuit)
28. Mobile payment
• The competition
– ISIS (AT&T, Verizon Wireless, T-Mobile)
• Non-NFC competitors
– Visa Wallet
– Serve by American Express
– PayPal
• Who even knows:
– Apple? (Feb ‘11 patent)
29. Mobile payment
• But do consumers really want it?
– 63% of MasterCard survey takers aged 18-
34 would be “comfortable using their mobile
phones to make purchases”
– But only 34% of ages 35+ agree
30. Mobile payment
“We think 2012 will be a
transitional year for mobile
payments.”
(Brad Greene, Visa)
31. Keys
• Yale Locks demonstrated a residential
NFC system in September
32. Keys
• Arizona State University pilot with dorm
room keys
• 90% of student participants wanted to
use their phones to open other doors on
campus
• Students also wanted to use phones for
meal plans, game tickets, and laundry
34. Keys
• KeyLink Lite from NXP Semiconductors
– Diagnostic data from your car, stored in your
key fob
– Where did you park?
– Do you need gas?
– When was your last
oil change?
35. Keys
• NFC library cards?
– Easier access to library computers and
printers?
– Build upon existing uses of RFID in libraries
39. Mobile marketing
• Mobile marketing for libraries?
– Embed NFC tags in library posters and ads
• Easy registration for library events
– Collaborative marketing
• Tap your phone at the library for discounts at
local coffeeshop or museum?
41. Social media
• At Google’s I/O conference in May,
attendees checked in on foursquare via
NFC
42. Social media
• Google+ is NFC enabled!
• Other possibilities:
– Location or event check-ins
– Sharing contact information
– Friending or liking
43. Social media
• NFriendConnector
– NFC Forum Competition
– German University created an app,
NFriendConnector, that integrates with
Facebook
– People can exchange data through their
phone
– Update status with location
– Option to match your interests and hobbies
44. Gaming
• Multiplayer gaming
• Real world Easter eggs:
– Tap phone on an NFC tag, get a new level
– Play in a certain location, get in-game reward
– Buy licensed merchandise with NFC tag, get in-
game reward
• Turn a screen-based, isolated game into
real-world experience
• Companies benefit as users build deeper
connection to game brand
45. Gaming
• Angry Birds (Rovio)
– Tap two phones together, unlock new level
– “Magic Places”
– Barnes & Noble
– Starbucks?
46. Gaming
• Libraries as Magic Places
– Libraries can be a destination for gamers
– Increase traffic to the location
– Engagement
51. Security and privacy
• NFC provides better security than a
magnetic strip on a credit card
• Encryption
• Passwords
• Anti-virus software
• FTC December 2010 Staff Report
• Hacking NFC advertisements
53. A truly mobile collection
• NFC tags on books or other library
resources could contain:
– Bibliographic information
– Link to similar resources
– Due date for a checked-out book
• Social media tools to share what you’re
reading or watching
54. A truly mobile collection
• Off-the-shelf self-checkout?
– Bibliotecha has a prototype app!
58. • NFC Forum
– White Paper on Smart Posters (pdf)
• NFC World:
– List of Trials and Pilots
– List of NFC Enabled Phones
59. • Introductions to NFC
– Near Field Communications: A Technology
Primer (ars technica)
– What’s NFC, and Why do I Care?
(ReadWriteWeb)
– Near Field Communication Quick Guide
(Mashable)
60. • Mobile Payments
– Google Wallet
– ISIS
– Visa Wallet
– Serve by American Express
– PayPal