The activeShelves are a networked system of surfaces, servers, and displays that give real-time data about a collection of physical objects. Shelf surfaces are embedded with radiofrequency (RF) readers to track tagged containers. The system is connected to a server, and can be used as a relational database for physical objects. The user gets information directly about usage, location, and status of objects on activeShelves, or can query remotely via the web. The activeShelves can display simple text and graphics on LED displays. Based on our work with TouchCounters, activeShelves continues the exploration of enhancing typical organizational systems. The new system senses using RFID tags instead of mechanical magnetic contacts. The system's data-entry components and o utput display LEDs are located on the shelves instead of just the physical containers. The activeShelves system acts as a relational database instead of just tracking usages of individual containers.