[OPLINLIST] Smart phone Library Card application

[Paris Robertson]

Most existing barcode scanners in the library world will be of the single
line laser variety and will only correctly read a smartphone card
application on the screen between 0-5% of the time depending on several
factors.

 

Newer, more expensive, CCD scanners that are on the market today will work
just fine at scanning a smartphone's screen but my recommendation would be
to ask yourself how many patrons would you serve by replacing all of your
existing barcode scanners (my thought would be not very many).

 

As smartphones become more prevalent and more and more patrons expect this
type of service it may become something that you'd want to re-address at a
later time.  (The last statistic that I read said smartphones had about a
25% market share - however - this study didn't break down urban vs. rural
users which I think would be a key decision point in adopting new library
technology)

 

To answer your questions:

 

1)       Do you currently require ID along with a patron's library card or
is having the only the card sufficient?  If having the card is the only
criteria your library uses than I wouldn't see a problem with accepting a
smartphone application.  After all, there isn't a way to verify that the
person holding the card is the person you issued the card to, so why would
the device be any different?

2)      CCD Scanners will scan smartphone screens.

3)      Anecdotes?  I've had no one in my community try to use their
smartphone as a library card except myself.  I quickly found that our
scanners don't work for that either!

4)      We aren't presenting them to our patrons however I did roll out a QR
code (quick response) on our library newsletter last month.  So far I've had
a grand total of ZERO people ask me what the heck is this thing, so I would
assume that the people that know what it is don't need to ask, and the
people who don't know what it is, assume it's something that won't affect or
benefit them.  For more information about QR codes see this article:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QR_code 

 

I hope this helps, please let me know if you decide to implement accepting
smartphone applications in lieu of a physical card.  I'd be interested to
know how it went and what the startup costs were.

 

 

-Paris Robertson

Deputy Fiscal Officer/Technology Coordinator

Upper Sandusky Community Library

301 North Sandusky Avenue

Upper Sandusky, OH 43351

PHONE (419) 294-1345

MOBILE (419) 310-8926

FAX - 419.294.4499

EMAIL -  <mailto:robertpa at oplin.org> robertpa at oplin.org

WEB -  <http://www.upper-sandusky.lib.oh.us/>
http://www.upper-sandusky.lib.oh.us/

 

From: oplinlist-bounces at lists.oplin.org
[mailto:oplinlist-bounces at lists.oplin.org] On Behalf Of Bruce Landis
Sent: Thursday, August 18, 2011 3:38 PM
To: 'SEO Library Mailing List'; OPLINLIST
Subject: [OPLINLIST] Smart phone Library Card application

 

Last night we had our first appearance of a patron using their Smartphone
and a LibraryCard application. 

 

In short, this application allows the user to load their Library Card number
onto the device and then use the device to present a 'barcode' when checking
out.  It is being used for coupons and boarding passes among other uses.

 

Example:

Use Your Smartphone as your Library Card!

CardStarYour library card can be digitized on your iPhone or iPod touch,
Android, or BlackBerry using CardStar! CardStar is an app that allows you to
consolidate your reward and club cards from grocery stores, video stores and
the like onto your smartphone. It's entirely free and can be set up in
minutes!

Results:   1. The 'barcode' as presented would not scan via our Metrologic
laser scanner.  2. The patron was rather belligerent in demanding that we
accept this method of 'ID';  3.  Circulation staff had not had any advance
familiarity or experience with this development; 4. We have not had a policy
in place for this development.

I would like to get feedback from the Ohio Library community in a few areas:

1.       Should this method be allowed without reservation or should
additional ID be requested to validate the device?

2.       What barcode readers or configuration settings will 'handle' this
display type?

3.       What anecdotal examples can you contribute concerning these
applications?

4.       Are you currently presenting these applications to your patrons?

Thanks for any information you can share.

Bruce Landis

Technology Specialist 
Chillicothe and Ross County Public Library 
mailto:landisbr at oplin.org
v.(740) 702-4115 fx.(740) 702-4118 

 

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