Janelle,

I have indeed looked into Radio Frequency Identification technologies for
use in some of the institutions in which I have worked. I would not
necessarily call it research. I have never had the time or budget to
implement them, but I have been fascinated by the possibilities.

My central problem has always been(other than the cash) that they add a
level of complexity to the standard way of doing things that might be
difficult for many to pick up easily in collection care. Barcodes are cool,
but unreadable without the scanner, which goes the same for other tagging
methods. We still ahve to use the traditional methods to supplement the
new. The antennas and other gear also complicate matters.

They serve far better in exhibition and security functions with magnetic
security cards, detection fields, etc.

There is also the big brother aspect of radio technologies, with the
security issues thrown in. There may have been some recent developments, of
which I am unaware.

Mark Janzen
Registrar/Collections Manager
Edwin A. Ulrich Museum of Art
Martin H. Bush Outdoor Sculpture Collection
Wichita State University
(316)978-5850


                                                                       
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Has anyone out there researched RFID technology for use with museum
collections?

Janelle Aieta
Administrative Assistant
Collections Management
LACMA
323/857-6124

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