Abstract
In libraries, the internet of things (IoT) has enormous promise. It is not the sensor on the object, but it does have the capacity for electronic tracking and data exchange. This has created a plethora of new opportunities to improve the efficiency of libraries and, as a result, the user experience of various services. IoT has played a critical role in transforming libraries into Smart places by improving services such as “collection management,” “instruction,” “data security,” and so on. It can also allow real-time global connection of a large library system. In this context, the chapter looks to explain IoT and its numerous technologies. The study additionally indicates possible library areas for implementation and how they affect library effectiveness in terms of patrons, operations, and technological innovation. This chapter will serve as a road map for scholars, practitioners, and readers interested in IoT, technosphere, and tech habitat.
TopIntroduction
The Internet of Things (IoT) is regarded as a remarkable emerging technology, ranking above artificial intelligence, robots, and other comparable technological advancements (Burrus, 2014; Nord et al., 2019). IoT has unveiled new technology prospects by drastically expanding its influence area from “business and industry to home, health care, and knowledge management” (Al-athwari & Hossain, 2022; Khanna, & Kaur, 2020). The concept of the “Internet of Things” is 16 years old, but the concept of a linked gadget is far older. Earlier, this approach was named “pervasive computing”. Kevin Ashton came up with the term “Internet of Things” in 1999 while engaged in an initiative at “Procter & Gamble” (P&G) to improve “supply chain management” by connecting “radio frequency identification” (RFID) data to the Internet (Ashton,2009; Kumar,2018, Rajan, et al., 2022). Since its beginnings, several researchers have described and defined it (Ali et al., 2015; Ben-Daya et al., 2017; Gigli & Koo, 2011; Huang et al., 2016; Lee & Lee, 2015; Lund et al., 2014; Madakam et al., 2015; Ornes, 2016), yet there is no conventional description. IoT is defined by Nord et al. (2019) as a system that consists of uniquely identified endpoints or “things” that record and distribute data. According to Ghasempour (2019), IoT is the interconnection of people and things in any environment, with anybody and anything utilising any system or platform. As a result, the basic essence of all the prevalent definitions may be summed as IoT is a word that depicts items engaging via the Internet (Alkhariji et al., 2023; Khanna, & Kaur, 2020), enabling almost limitless potential and interconnections.
Architecture
IoT communication architectures not only allow devices to connect to the internet but also allow them to communicate with one another autonomously (Petersen, et al. 2014). Several reputable organisations and working groups (ITU, IEEE, Cisco, and ETSI) have created IoT frameworks based on their technical specifications, corporate and service structures, and so forth. To date, however, none of them has been able to deliver the standardised structure (Gupta & Quamara, 2018). Initially, the acknowledged IoT architecture consisted of three layers: “perception, network, and application” (Bandyopadhyay, et al., 2013; Buyya et al., 2009; Miao et al., 2010; Sharma, 2015; Tilak, 2002; Yan et al., 2014). This 3-layer design became unsustainable as IoT growth progressed and 5-layer architecture emerged (Figure 1). The job of the “perception Layer” is to identify entities and gather information about them using embedded sensors. Depending on the entity's identifying mechanism, these devices can be Smart cards, biometrics, or indeed heat cameras (Anne et al., 2016). Similarly, the “application layer” is responsible for providing global oversight for the whole programme according to the data of the item handled at the “middleware layer”. It also makes IoT systems more sophisticated, authorized, and reliable.
The processing layer’s major role is to assess information obtained from the network layer and make judgments based on the findings of pervasive computation Mouha (2021). The transport layer is responsible for transferring sensor data from the perception layer to the processing layer via networks such as “WiFi, LAN, LTE, RFID, and Bluetooth”. Ultimately, the business layer visualises data and analytics from the application layer and applies this information to upcoming initiatives and objectives (Chopra, et al., 2019; Miao et al., 2010; Said & Masud, 2013).
Figure 1. Source: Figure by Author(s) Key Terms in this Chapter
Library Operations: The major tasks performed in the librariesperformed in the library such as acquisition, cataloguing and classification, storage, retrieval, and service provision.
Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi is a wireless technology for networking that uses electromagnetic waves to transmit networks and allows high-speed data transfer over short distances.
IoT: It refers to use of internet connected objects and system to obtain data gathered by embedded sensors, actuators in machines and other physical objects.
RFID: It is a technology whereby digital data encoded in RFID tags or smart labels are captured by a reader via radio waves. RFID belongs to a group of technologies known as Automatic Identification and Data Capture (AIDC) that automatically identify object, collect data and save that data into computer.
Smart Library: The interconnection between different library devices, users and librarians in a wireless networking environment within a library will be called a smart library.
BLE: It is a variation of the Bluetooth wireless standard designed for low power consumption. Its goal is to connect devices over relatively short range.