AI 3: Library Card Numbers and Hand-Held Devices

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1 AI 3: Library Card Numbers and Hand-Held Devices History: In May of 2010, the PINES Executive Committee discussed the use of scannable handheld devices to store library card numbers (for example, the KeyRing app for phones) in lieu of carrying a physical card ( meeting 2010 may). At that time, some libraries were already allowing it. In September of 2010, the topic was reintroduced and the Executive Committee voted to disallow the use of handheld devices and to require a physical card to be present for library transactions ( meeting 2010 september). PINES Policy Currently Reads: Page 1: Page 17: Page 17 18: A library card is required in order to check out materials [ , ]. A patron must present a card in good standing to borrow materials. A patron s card will be blocked, and no services may be obtained with it if the patron owes $10 or more in unpaid fines and/or fees [ ]. Blocked services include renewals [ , ] and hold request placement [ ]. Delinquent borrowers who have not reached these limits may still borrow materials; the system operator will be notified that the patron is delinquent. A PINES card is required at all times and at all libraries for all transactions [ ], with the following exceptions: when an item is in hand, no library card is required in order to renew the item [ ] when an item is in hand, no library card is required for payment of fines [ ] A card is required for renewals or bill payment if neither the cardholder nor the item is present [ ]. If a patron forgets his/her PINES card, he or she can: Return home to retrieve it. Materials may be held for the patron. Purchase a replacement card for $2. The procedure for Lost/Stolen Cards should be used in reissuing a card. Photo ID is not accepted in lieu of a library card in PINES.

2 Proposal: Update the policy to redefine the PINES card to include the card number as presented on a hand held device: A PINES card (defined as either the issued plastic card or an electronic facsimile on a hand held device scannable by the lending library s equipment) is required at all times and at all libraries for all transactions [ ], with the following exceptions: Question 1: Should the current PINES policy be changed to allow scanning of library card numbers that are stored on hand held devices? Yes 19 59% No 10 31% Undecided 3 9% Comments / Questions: We have a lot a patrons who try to use someone else's card and give an invalid card. They also lose cards and phones. This change would be risky here. Yes, given that it is "scannable by the lending library s equipment". (Or maybe PINES can look into an app that all patrons may download to make their cards scannable.) With self check units, and we're converting more and more of our stem to these, there is no way to monitor use of library card or scanned card without additional staff. We will not do this specific monitoring. I'm not sure that we need to be on the leading edge of something like this. It might be better to wait a little while and learn from other's mistakes. I thought the reason we decided not to go with it was because of a security issue of being able to create fake barcode numbers. I have no problem with using the phone app as long as we aren't required to purchase new barcode scanners, and we are sure that these are reflecting true cards. What's to stop someone from having and presenting multiple cards using the device? Do you think the current "proxy borrower" covers this? This would be similar to the mom with 5 cards on her key ring. It is just another way for us to provide convenience to our patrons. Is this legal "tender"? How can we ensure patron privacy in this age of identity theft? You can put a PIN number on your phone so only you can access it. You can set your phone up so after someone tries to hack your PIN number three times it is automatically locked down. On the latest release of the iphone, you can use a fingerprint to open it and soon a retina scan will be offered. You can pay credit card charges on your phone in places like StarBuck. You can access your bank account information and conduct stock transactions by phone. Library Systems

3 with self check have patrons using their phone to check out they just can't take it to the desk and let staff use the bar code to check out. If it is the sanctity of the card the PINES board is worried over, it was breached the first time a card was issued. We have so many people using our library, we generally are not aware they are using someone else card until there is a fine over $10, it is time to renew, a note is on the record or they came to pick up a hold. PINES needs to get with the times. First, let me say that I am all for allowing staff to look up a card number with a picture ID. But...if we are going to continue the archaic requirement of presenting a library card in hand, then we need to stick to it. No exceptions. We tell patrons that their library card is like a credit card since in using it they are accepting a responsibility to return or pay for items they check out. Do credit card companies allow their card numbers to be scanned into smartphones and used that way? (I honestly don't know but think not we're not on the cutting edge of technology out here in the boonies. I wouldn't want my credit cards to be scannable from my phone.) With other affinity cards that are on your key ring, there's really no responsibility involved just discounts and such. Can one have his driver's license in his phone now or do we still have to keep it on our person? I chose yes, but the patron will have to verify they are the person that is using the card. We give two sizes of library cards to all patrons. They should be able to bring in either the keychain size or the wallet size. I don't know of any store that will allow you to show a scanned image of a debit card or credit card to purchase items. Question 2: If the patron uses a hand held device, should the patron be asked to confirm their identity (for example, verifying their name or phone number) for additional security? If so, what would be the best approach? Do not require patron to verify identity 14 44% Require patron to verify identity 11 34% Undecided 7 22% Preferred Form of Verification: Same as for a library card. Using a handheld devise and having to confirm identity would require more staff time. IF required, the PINES pin number is as far as I'm willing to go. We don't verify their identity when they present the actual card. What is the difference? Unless the patron is a regular, we have no way of knowing if they are the actual card holder when they present a card. We just assume that they are unless the age or the name raises a question. Street number or PO Box number would be preferable to phone number, since if they've stolen the phone and the contents thereof, that one would be pretty easy to already know. If people are doing this on self checkout, how would you confirm? My understanding is that some self checkout libraries are already doing this. But asking for a phone number if you are concerned about a stolen card or phone seems silly.

4 But strongly prefer NOT to allow use of scanned barcodes on handheld devices If you're going to require identification, get identification. Reciting a name or phone number just confirms they know they know the card owner's name or phone number. Currently, we can tell someone "your card was presented to check out these items." The new version would be "your card or the equivalent on a scannable handheld device was presented to check out these items." Not quite the same message. Preferably picture id. Ask for their DOB. We don't require them to confirm their identity when using their physical library card. Proxy borrowing allows others to use someone else's card. Would this be allowable with the handheld device? Why? Do we do the same with a regular card? Scan the card on the phone. Somewhere there is a disconnect with self check equipment and this entire bar code issue. I would prefer that the physical card be shown, but if this is allowed, then the Patron's Name, address, and date of birth should be required to confirm identity Either allow lookups with picture ID or require the physical library card. No exceptions. We don't require them to show ID in conjunction with a physical card, so why would we do it with an electronic one? Their drivers license because anyone could have a copy of their card. Just remember to explain to the patron its for their own protection. Picture ID Question 3: How should a library respond if their scanners are not compatible and cannot scan the card number from a hand held device? Require patron to return with the physical card 5 16% Type in the card number that is displayed on the hand held device 16 50% Other 11 34% Other Suggestions: We think that the physical card should be required. No handheld devises. type in card number and verify ID with picture ID Do what staff usually do if a physical card wasn't readable, i.e. type it in or replace the card. In this case, staff can type it in or ask the patron to return with their physical card (and staff will hold their items for them). Group purchase option of new scanners? and software. People have this ability. The TSA accepts scanned tickets for airline use; we need to modernize! Strongly prefer NOT to allow use of scanned barcodes on handheld devices, but if it is approved, then we might as well type it in if it won't scan.

5 We shouldn't be able to limit the service because of our incompatible equipment. That's not fair to the patron. If they are allowed to present an image of the barcode on their device at one location, they should be allowed to present it at all PINES locations. Patrons who are relying on this technology will probably not have either their keyring or wallet card. If the Library's equipment cannot scan the number on the device (ours cannot), and we have to input the number manually, we will end up either listening to the patron read the number out loud or handing their device to the staff for us to read the number. Change the PINES policy on typing cards in and go back to allowing a patron to present an ID in order to have a staff member type the card number. I would prefer that the physical card be shown, but if this is allowed, it would be counterproductive to have the patron required to go home and get the physical card if the barcode numbers are clearly visible but our barcode scanners simply can't scan the data. If, however, the scanner can't read the data because the image is unclear or the numbers are unreadable or not fully visible, then the patron should be required to return with the physical card. But again, my preference is that the physical card be shown in the first place, in which case this scenario wouldn't be an issue. Either allow lookups with picture ID or require the physical library card. No exceptions. Actually, the second choice above; but point out what the policy is (.." scannable by the lending library s equipment." And since under this proposal, the facsimile on the device is by definition the equivalent of the plastic card, only type it in if that is what you do with an unreadable plastic card. Type the card number in but tell the patron they we will only do it this one time.