I would be very interested to hear from other libraries in a similar
situation to ourselves who have introduced PIN numbers as an added
security measure for users of self service issue machines.
The LLRS here at UCLan supports aprox 35,000 students using the Talis
library management system and operating 3M self service machines (issue
and return) at 3 UCLan libraries.
We operate a 24 hour opening hours for most of the academic year at the
Preston campus library with a combination of staffed and building only
(unstaffed) hours, and have 2 other site libraries operating a similar
combination of hours, but not 24/7.
Thus far we have thought of the following options:
* A Talis-generated email informing users of their PIN Number
* PIN Numbers distributed via HelpDesk / Issue Desk / Reception /
Registration Desk.
* Self-Help - don't tell users what their original was, but encourage
them to change their PIN Number via the Llibrary Catalogue (Prism)
* Inform users that they will receive a PIN Number by email, as part of
the initial Registration process,
Drawbacks identified thus far are:-
* We would need to devise a new script to send the number by email, and
there is no guarantee that everyone would read it (though many probably
would)
* Staff-assisted distribution would be labour-intensive, and only
available during staffed hours. Might also be a barrier to using
Self-Issue, as it presents an extra thing users must do before they can
use it - though it would only need to be done once (unless they forget
it, of course).
* Self-help might present some security issues, in that anyone could
change a PIN Number if they know the barcode - basically the same
problem as you've highlighted with regard to Self Issue. Might also be a
barrier to using Self-Issue, as it presents an extra thing users must do
before they can use it - and this time, they'd have to do it for
themselves.
* Informing users at Registration would work fine for the new intake,
but doesn't handle the problem of existing users.
Any observations on any of the above ideas would be very welcome
indeed, particularly from other libraries operating a similar service to
ours and who have introduced something similar.
Please email [log in to unmask] and I will summarise for the benefit
of the list generally.
Many many thanks in anticipation
Carol Taylor
Carol Taylor
Senior Information Officer
Library
University of Central Lancashire
PRESTON
Lancs
PR1 2HE
email: [log in to unmask]
Tel: 01772 892286
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