[OPLINLIST] Smart phone Library Card application

[Nancy Levin]

We have a growing number of patrons who use this app with varying
success. Sometimes our scanner picks it up well, sometimes not and we
have to enter the number manually. We use Flashscan units and customers
can scan their own barcodes. 

 

I see no problem with identification. It is as secure or insecure as a
library card. 

 

Thanks for the info on the scanning system. Maybe we can improve our
success rate because this is the way the world is going. 

Nancy Levin

 

Nancy S. Levin

Director 

Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library

2345 Lee Road, Cleveland Heights, Ohio 44118

216-932-3600 ext. 240

nlevin at heightslibrary.org              www.heightslibrary.org

 

 

 

From: oplinlist-bounces at lists.oplin.org
[mailto:oplinlist-bounces at lists.oplin.org] On Behalf Of Morgan 
Sent: Monday, August 22, 2011 10:13 AM
To: 'Bruce Landis'; 'SEO Library Mailing List'; 'OPLINLIST'
Subject: Re: [OPLINLIST] Smart phone Library Card application

 

 

 

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!

 Your 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?

I think we have to accept this as libraries.  I am sure some locations
will be affected by it more than others.

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

We are using a model called a Gryphon from Datalogic. We have one at
each location. I called www.bayscantech.com to ask them what to
purchase.  It will read a barcode off of an HTC EVO.  (the only thing we
had to test with)

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

I have a HTC EVO (droid) phone that is capable of doing this. I had some
trouble getting the barcode app to work. I think I ended up with the
CardStar app. I wanted to see if it could be done. I did all of this
about a year ago.  I was replacing some scanners at the time, so I
purchased these Gryphons instead of my usual Metrologics (Honeywell).  

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

The apps, no.  Most of our clientele do not have smart phones.  We are
ready for the ones that do.  The staff was all given a chance to play
with my phone, but it was a year ago.  Training is a weak point, none of
the circ staff have smart phones.  The library isn't going to buy one
just to play with.  Trends like this take several years to hit our area.

 

 

_____________________________________

 

Morgan Paul

Technology Coordinator

Ashtabula County District Library

Ashtabula, Ohio 44004

 

 

440-992-0922

 

 

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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