The university, which serves 21,000 students across eight schools and four campuses, operates two library locations: the Stanley Ho Library and the Ho Sik Yee Library. Facing growing demand from its expanding student body, the library needed to modernize its automation infrastructure to keep pace with user expectations.

The migration saw HKMU convert its entire collection to RFID, tagging all items with HF 13.56 MHz labels to enable automated identification and circulation. The rollout included several key hardware deployments: Bibliotheca’s selfCheck 3000 stations for rapid self-service checkout, RFID ultra security gates at library entrances, and DLA inventoryWand devices for streamlined stock management.

One of the standout elements of the project is the cloudCheck mobile app, which gives students two ways to interact with library materials. The app supports both NFC scanning, allowing tap-to-borrow on compatible smartphones, and camera-based scanning as a fallback option. This dual approach ensures accessibility regardless of device capabilities.

Bibliotheca worked closely with the university to customize the mobile app for HKMU’s specific needs. The app features university branding and colors, Single Sign-On (SSO) integration for seamless authentication, and a whitelist solution tied into the ExLibris Alma Integrated Library System. Students can choose between email receipts or direct system receipts after completing transactions.

The results have been overwhelmingly positive. Library staff report “nonstop positive feedback from students,” with satisfaction scores trending upward across successive survey cycles. The self-service technology has freed staff from routine circulation tasks, allowing them to focus on higher-value engagement with the university community. Checkout and return processes are now faster and more accurate, reducing queues and improving the overall library experience.

Beyond its core lending functions, HKMU positions its library as a “GLAM Hub,” combining Gallery, Library, Archives, and Museum services under one roof. The facility hosts exhibitions, workshops, cultural events, and the Museum of Modern Chinese Literature alongside its traditional library offerings. The RFID infrastructure supports this broader mission by streamlining day-to-day operations and creating capacity for these expanded services.

The HKMU project highlights how a well-planned RFID migration can transform library operations. By combining HF RFID tagging with NFC-enabled mobile services, security gates, and self-service stations, the university has built a modern, student-centered library system that scales with demand.

Read more at https://www.bibliotheca.com/library-story-rfid-hong-kong-metropolitan-university/