I had almost missed this as 'Kevin' was unknown to me (I thought), so I
deleted him, more fool me.
I have been harping on for some time now about this idea of calling
users members. WHY? It is exclusive and does send wrong messages, unless
of course everyone is a member by virtue of the fact they are in the
country, how ever that may be., and that membership is dished out with
birth certificates. We are not a London Men only Club, we should be an
all inclusive service.
I am delighted to hear Helens view, and the reduction in barriers to
using the library. I have never understood the over the top need for
utility bills, electoral rolls etc. Even long standing pillars of the
community who have never moved in their lives fail to return books on
occasions, as I know from my time working in a public library in a very
up market part of the country. I am reminded of the story told to me ,
by a very eminent University Librarian, on when he changed jobs and
tried to join the public library when he was in a short term rented flat
and as yet didn't have 3 utility bills, impossible to join)!!
There is a wonderful ad on the box at the moment, for one of the top
banks. The guy walking along is commenting on how he can use many
services he wants almost 24 x 7,and can speak to someone not a robot
after holding on the line for 20 mins and umpteen key depressions all at
the users expense., it could almost be re vamped for how libraries can
be 'difficult' to use and join and find open, when they are not at their
best.
We do need a more freely available all encompassing perception AND
REALITY to encourage more and more users.
Thanks for coming back to me Kevin, and to Helen for alerting me you
were not one I should delete.
Frances HENDRIX
-----Original Message-----
From: lis-pub-libs: UK Public Libraries
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of leech, helen
Sent: 07 October 2004 10:31
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Photo Identity
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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