The Allen Public Library will be upgrading the radio frequency identification system (RFID) to 3M technology over the next several months. Allen City Council recently approved the contract for just over $100,000 in addition to acknowledging the gifts from the Eugene McDermott Foundation and Allen Friends of the Library to partially fund the new system. The McDermott Foundation provided a gift of $50,000 while Friends of the Library donated another $13,000. A Collin County Libraries Assistant Grant of $20,000 was received as well.
The new RFID system will improve the ability for patrons to utilize the self-service check-out stations including self-check for DVD’s. The system also helps count library visitors and patron traffic in addition to providing alarm notification and book location alerts for staff. The system upgrade is expected to be complete in May.