[Publib] Cards versus identification

[Robert L. Balliot]

Greetings,

The one critical caveat with using ID's instead of library cards
is the size of the patron database.  With 500,000 borrowers in the
system or more and cultural homogeneity, there can be many instances of
people with the exact same name. The use of a card can end up being
the best way of ensuring that the right person is having the book
checked out to them or accounting for their fines.  

I think one of the smartest things that has been devised in recent
years is the library card that attaches to the key chain. That
seems to help patrons in vehicles travel with their cards.

*************************************************
Robert L. Balliot
1-401-421-5763
Skype: RBalliot
Bristol, Rhode Island
http://oceanstatelibrarian.com/contact.htm
*************************************************

-----Original Message-----
From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org [mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org]
On Behalf Of Rhonda Jessup
Sent: Friday, July 13, 2007 2:51 PM
To: publib at webjunction.org
Subject: RE: [Publib] Cards versus identification

Not sure what Sue's comment about "my" local library means exactly, but,
yes, we do all of those things except for the library card issue.
Roving reference and proactive service, free ILLs, email reminders,
friendly staff are all in place.  But our patrons do need a library card
to check stuff out.  For now.  We're still considering the issue.

I thank everyone for their valuable input.  To summarize the responses
thus far: some are like K.G.'s local library and will accept ID (3
respondents), others are like ours (3 respondents) and require a card,
and some used to be like K.G.'s and are now like ours (2 respondents),
and vice-versa (2 as well).  I declare it a tie!  I'm sure the
discussion at our next department heads meeting will be a lively one.

Rhonda Jessup
Public Services Manager
Whitby Public Library
Whitby, Ontario, Canada