Will library cards work with our existing self-checkout kiosks?

Yes — the cards are ISO 14443A / ISO 15693 compliant at 13.56 MHz, which is the standard across all current self-checkout kiosk vendors. We confirm reader compatibility in writing during the sample-kit phase.

Can the library card double as a campus access card?

Yes — modern chip families support multi-application credentials. One physical card carries the library application (patron ID, due dates) and the campus access application (building access, dining) with separate cryptographic keys per application.

Do you support multi-branch library networks?

Yes. We can encode each card with a branch code + patron ID, or use a centralized patron-ID scheme that's mapped at the LMS level. The card itself is branch-agnostic.

How do library cards handle the security gate at the exit?

Security-gate antennas read the book RFID tags, not the patron card. Our patron cards are tuned for the reader's interrogation field at the circulation desk (5-10 cm) and do not trigger the gate.

Are barcode and RFID redundant?

Not redundant — complementary. The barcode is a fallback for legacy circulation stations or for off-line manual entry. The RFID handles modern self-checkout and inventory. Most libraries keep both for transitional reasons.

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HF 13.56MHzSelf-CheckoutISO 15693

Library Cards

Purpose-built RFID cards for campus library systems. Enable self-checkout, automated returns, attendance logging, and study room reservations. Compatible with major library management systems including SirsiDynix, Ex Libris, and Koha.

Ideal for

Automated book checkout and returns
Study room reservations
Campus-wide attendance tracking
Multi-branch library networks

Features

HF 13.56MHz optimized for library systems
Compatible with self-checkout kiosks
Automated attendance logging
Study room reservation integration
Multi-branch campus library support
Durable for high-frequency daily use

Specifications

Physical

MaterialPVC/PET laminated

SizeCR80 (85.6 x 54mm)

Technical

FrequencyHF 13.56MHz (ISO 15693 / ISO 14443)

Read RangeUp to 10cm

Ordering

MOQ500 pieces

Compatibility

Platform / use case	Supported	Notes
Library management systems	Yes	Compatible with the major LMS platforms used by university libraries — including SirsiDynix, Ex Libris, and Koha. See our campus card systems guide for platform-level integration notes.
Self-checkout kiosks	Yes	13.56 MHz HF reading at the standard library check-out / return distance (5-10 cm). ISO 15693 vicinity variants available for shelf-level inventory readers.
Campus card ecosystem	Yes	Same card body and chip can carry the campus-card application alongside the library application, so one credential serves both.
RFID security-gate antennas	Yes	Cards behave consistently with library security gates that detect unchecked-out items via book tags.

Encoding options

Patron ID as UID-decimal or UID-hex
Library-specific application area with separate AES-128 key set
Barcode (1D or 2D) printed alongside RFID for legacy reader fallback
Custom prefix for multi-branch networks (e.g. branch code + patron ID)

Sample-kit workflow

1Share your LMS vendor + reader make/model + sample patron ID format.
2We quote and ship a 5-card sample kit pre-encoded to your LMS's expected format.
3You test self-checkout, returns, and the security-gate flow.
4Adjust encoding on the next run if anything doesn't trigger as expected.
5Full production from your finalized patron-ID range and artwork.

What to watch for

Common pitfalls during a card-program rollout and how we address them.

⚠ Patron ID padding mismatch (LMS expects 10-digit, card has 8)

We pre-pad on the encoding side so the chip returns the exact string the LMS expects.

⚠ Security-gate false alarms from book tags interfering with patron card

Patron card chips operate on a separate frequency band from book tags; we confirm interference behavior on the sample kit.

Frequently asked questions

Will library cards work with our existing self-checkout kiosks?: Yes — the cards are ISO 14443A / ISO 15693 compliant at 13.56 MHz, which is the standard across all current self-checkout kiosk vendors. We confirm reader compatibility in writing during the sample-kit phase.
Can the library card double as a campus access card?: Yes — modern chip families support multi-application credentials. One physical card carries the library application (patron ID, due dates) and the campus access application (building access, dining) with separate cryptographic keys per application.
Do you support multi-branch library networks?: Yes. We can encode each card with a branch code + patron ID, or use a centralized patron-ID scheme that's mapped at the LMS level. The card itself is branch-agnostic.
How do library cards handle the security gate at the exit?: Security-gate antennas read the book RFID tags, not the patron card. Our patron cards are tuned for the reader's interrogation field at the circulation desk (5-10 cm) and do not trigger the gate.
Are barcode and RFID redundant?: Not redundant — complementary. The barcode is a fallback for legacy circulation stations or for off-line manual entry. The RFID handles modern self-checkout and inventory. Most libraries keep both for transitional reasons.

Ready to order?

Get a custom quote for library cards tailored to your institution's needs.