[OPLINLIST] Smart phone Library Card application

Mon Aug 22 12:49:33 EDT 2011

Dear List,

    I would like it known that though I have concerns, I did not advocate
any actions. I even thought it would be interesting to see how this played
out (as voiced in my 1st post). 

Let me give a little background. I'm 52, while that is not old (at least I
don't feel old), I have seen a fair amount of history. From library cards
and card catalogs to computers and 

OPACs. I have also seen people burnt by technology not thought out. How many
people fall prey to identity theft every year? How many companies have had
their databases 

broken into? How many banks have lost usernames & passwords? While a lot
people do not seem to worry about their own anonymity (not implying anything
just stating a fact),

I still worry about mine and our patrons. Our patrons have the right to
expect us to be responsible with their personal data. That being said, I
believe that this will become 

common place but, it still must be thought out. Thought out as to how our
library's rule can or will be adapted, as to how we will budget for this
technology (I am sure our 

scanners would not be able to read these smartphones, so that would require
new scanners), etc. 

     We have allowed for file downloads, burning cds & dvds, scanning of
photos & documents, the use of usb drives, and just about anything else our
patrons wanted (with-in

reason). We were first adopters of both Vista & Windows 7. I have had Ubuntu
boxes on the floor for our patrons. We have run Office 2010 & Windows 7 from
the day they 

became available for download from software assurance. We are not afraid of
new technology. It does deserve to be thought out.

The statements made are of my own opinion and not those of the Meigs County
District Public Library or the Meigs Co. Board.

Dan Will

Technology Supervisor

Meigs County District Public Library

 <mailto:willda at oplin.org> willda at oplin.org

740.992.5813

740.992.6140 (fax)

"When you are growing up there are two institutional places that affect you
most powerfully: 

the church that belongs to God and the public library that belongs to you.  

The public library is the great equalizer." 

Keith Richards

From: oplinlist-bounces at lists.oplin.org
[mailto:oplinlist-bounces at lists.oplin.org] On Behalf Of Eric Taggart
Sent: Monday, August 22, 2011 12:08 PM
To: Oplin
Subject: Re: [OPLINLIST] Smart phone Library Card application

Even though I understand what some of you skeptics are saying about this, I
think it is a very paranoid view- most people (and I mean, like 98% of
people) would not do what Dan and Avery are suggesting.  It may be a very,
very occasional problem, but it isn't going to become a "huge" problem, in
my opinion (and you are certainly free to disagree with me).  

If you are going to ask for photo ID with the barcode, you might as well
just tell people they can't use their smart phones to check out.  I think if
you are going to require photo ID with the smart phone, you are creating a
policy for an incredibly small fraction of the population; meanwhile, you
are punishing everyone else.  Also, the two percent (that may actually be a
high estimate) that you are creating the policy for?  They will just find
another way to burn you, because you can't out-policy them.  I also think
that if we don't accept these types of applications on smart phones, it just
gives more ammunition to those who believe public libraries are outdated.

Who knows, maybe I'll feel differently if and when this really catches
on...but I doubt it because I think it is more about one's public library
philosophy than it is about smart phones and new technology. 

Eric

-- 
Eric D. Taggart, Director
Coshocton Public Library
655 Main Street
Coshocton, Ohio  43812
Phone: 740.622.0956
Fax: 740.622.4331
coshoctonlibrary.org

On Mon, Aug 22, 2011 at 11:42 AM, Avery Shifflett <shifflav at oplin.org>
wrote:

I'd actually like to see some more discussion on the security aspect of
using barcode apps on smart phones.  I think Dan Will brought up an
excellent point about patrons being able to enter any number they like.  I
can see this becoming a huge problem.  Anyone tech savvy enough to use such
an app will figure out that they can enter any number they like.  As long as
the barcode meets the check digit, they can literally use anyone's account.

Personally, I'm thinking that if we accept it, we need a photo ID as well
(as the original poster asked).

One person said: "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?", but I see it as being very different.  A physical card would
have to be lost for someone else to use it, and the patron can report it
lost/missing.  With a barcode app, anybody can use my account even though my
physical card is safely tucked away.

Thoughts anyone?

Thanks,

Avery Shifflett
Carroll County District Library

============================================================================
============

Bruce,

  I have not seen this and since I don't have a "smartphone" I won't be
using it but, my opinion is that the library card was given to the patron as
their method of identification. They knew that when they got the card. They
cannot (reasonably) expect you to accept something else.  What prevents the
user from putting just any number in the app and have it create a barcode
that might actually be someone else's number? I can see where this might be
something to work towards for our patrons but, I think we need a way to
control the id creation (unless there is security controls that I am unaware
of).

Be interesting to see how this plays out.

Dan Will
Technology Supervisor
Meigs County District Public Library
willda at oplin.org
740.992.5813
740.992.6140 (fax)

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