"Does having some identification of address actually stop theft, what
evidence for this? "
I am not sure it stops theft and evidence either way would be impossible to
gather but I do think there is a deterrent effect on voluntary non-return of
items borrowed (which, I admit, is also a form of theft). It also helps,
albeit in easily circumvented, ways to prevent multiple memberships being
set up by a single individual for malicious ends.
I feel in this whole debate it's important to make the distinction between
use of the library (allowing people into the building and use of any of the
core services on site without any identification or requirement for
membership) and membership of the library (the ability to borrow materials
from the library). I imagine no library service in the UK offer the latter
without some form of identification being produced (other than possibly an
'introductory/restricted' membership with limited borrowing privileges)
whereas I would expect all authorities to offer the former. I am not sure
banks and mortgage providers are analogous but a similar setup may be found
in Blockbuster or Choices in terms of requiring ID to take advantage of
services being offered. As DVDs, Video Games and the like (desirable,
valuable and easy to sell on) become available in increasing numbers of
libraries how would these remain in circulation without any check at all on
those borrowing them?
It is unfortunate that in this, as in many other services, it is the
practice of the minority (system abuser) that drives the policy rather than
the needs of the majority (system user) but dealing with limited resources
as all public services do, is there any other way?
Robert Day
Cambridgeshire Libraries
-----Original Message-----
From: Frances Hendrix [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 07 October 2004 12:19
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Photo Identity
Some very mixed messages here, but I note where you are emailing from.
Are we really in the same category as Banks and mortgage providers. Does
having some identification of address actually stop theft, what evidence for
this? Surely we are NOT a club, but a public service paid for by us all for
the greater good.
As for a National Identity card. roll on, I have so many forms of
identification at the moment that one card would be a great asset, and I
have nothing to hide so nothing to fear. But if we did have the card, I
would still wish public libraries to be open to those who live in this
country but haven't attained that status yet.
f
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