My perception is that public libraries generally are loosening up on
membership. Here in Medway we only require one proof of identity, and that
can be pretty much anything. It has made it much easier for people like
transient workers to come in and use the system.
It really worries me that this is against a background where identification
and security is being more and more tightly controlled. Recently the police
recommended that we implement a photo identity system for internet use.
This is not something that we are considering.
Regards
Helen Leech
Medway libraries
The views expressed in this communication may not necessarily be the views
of Medway Council.
-----Original Message-----
From: Kevin [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 07 October 2004 08:47
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Photo Identity
I'd like to comment on this. I'm acutely aware of the fact that I am not a
practising public librarian so in a sense detached from the day-to-day
struggles of making systems work... However I am struggling myself with some
of the knotty issues of community cohesion, civil renewal and, ha, the place
of public libraries in all that. And I want to ask if we can try to get away
from the notion of 'membership,' because it inevitably implies exclusion.
I'm really not sure that I would want to see my public library service
investing heavily in a system that concretises membership, because once that
is established it could be even harder to break down than the existing
systems.
Is there a place for a discussion about a civil society in which borrowing
from libraries is less constrained by the formalities of membership? If this
has been explored elsewhere i would like to hear what the results were.
Kevin Harris
Community Development Foundation
The Neighbourhoods Weblog
http://neighbourhoods.typepad.com/neighbourhoods/
-----Original Message-----
From: lis-pub-libs: UK Public Libraries on behalf of Joan
Bray
Sent: Wed 06/10/2004 13:43
To: [log in to unmask]
Cc:
Subject: Photo Identity
In Nottingham City Libraries we are looking at using a photo
identity
system linked to our management system to assist with
stopping users using
multiple cards. We are not necessarily looking to put
photos onto the
cards although if anyone who has done this I would be
interested in details.
We are looking for any product information, plus any
thoughts on the value
and related issues. We have had quite a prolonged discussion
of the ethics
of this at our management team - anyone else in this
dilemma?
I will of course summarise any feedback for the list.
Joan Bray
Customer Services Manager
Nottingham Central Library
0115 9152833
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