Future internet: Application of internet of things to libraries

Abstract

This paper explains the technical perspective of Internet of Things (IoTs) with definitions and the evolution of IoT. The characteristics like interconnectivity, heterogeneity, dynamic change, safety and connectivity are emphasized with IoT architecture. Different layers like the perception layer, network layer, middleware layer, application layer and business layer are explained. Application of IoT in different disciplines like in healthcare, agriculture, transportation is discussed. Emphasized the developments of smart cities with smart homes interconnecting the appliances, smart buildings for their operations from remote, smart environment and smart governance. Smart healthcare is also included under smart cities with parking lots in cities. Then IoT applications in libraries are discussed from entry of users, circulation desk, restoration of books, virtual library and book tracing, information literacy, cloud computing for the e-resources stored and accessed from publishers’ website and fire detection and protection for the safety of documents in libraries. The challenges and issues faced while implementing the IoT like privacy and security, accuracy, transaction, hacking, expenditure, system development and user training are mentioned. It has been concluded that IoT is in infancy stage for library professionals and they should try to implement and the future lies on their interest in latest technological applications.