DENVER -- If the thought of a library visit conjures images of dusty books and old-fashioned technology, think again.

Some Colorado libraries are on the cutting edge, using Wi-Fi technology consumers could soon see everywhere from the airport to the hospital to the supermarket.

Denver's City Council will vote Monday night on installing the rapidly expanding technology called RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) at the city's public libraries.

Instead of scanning one book at a time while checking out, the technology would allow library users to scan a pile of books in a second.

Douglas County Libraries installed the system a year ago with reported success, and technology experts have said when it comes to this technology, the local library is just the beginning.

"I don't know how they do it," said Rebecca Thomas, as she checked out a pile of CDs from a Douglas County library. "It's really cool. I just place a book on the desk and it knows what it is."

The Radio Frequency ID chips inside every item are scanned, a receipt is printed, and she is on her way.

"A very, very smart investment for us," said Jamie LaRue, director of Douglas County Public Libraries.

LaRue said not only is the high-tech check-out and check-in system convenient for customers, it is cost-effective.

In less than a year, the $1 million system has almost paid for itself in staff savings.

"The labor savings are so intense and the convenience for the public is so good, there's just no reason not to do it," said LaRue.

It might be surprising to know how many organizations are using RFID.

Reports have shown Denver Health tracks equipment with RFID, some airlines are considering it for keeping tabs on luggage, and businesses are plugging it in to their supply chain.

"Wal-Mart, for example, is using it extensively. Every single pallet that goes through has an RFID chip associated with it now," said Richard Scudder, chair of the University of Denver's Information Technology and Electronic Commerce Department.

He said as the cost of RFID goes down, the use in everyday life will go up.

For example, if it can be used already to scan an entire pile of books, imagine eventually, a cart full of groceries scanned in an instant.

Scudder said the technology is still being developed and there are privacy concerns, but its use is expanding exponentially.