RFID, coming to a library near you

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RFID tags in library items only relay one piece of information, a unique number (like an item barcode). This information is useless unless one has access to the library's circulation system. The American Library Association has long been a privacy advocate. However, the USA Patriot Act included the concept of opening those records to the government upon demand, which the ALA continues to fight.

By design and practice, circulation information inside an automated library system is volatile. In the vast majority of libraries, staff cannot pull up your patron record and see what you previously checked out, unless you returned items late and did not pay the fine. The historical data simply does not exist.

Privacy has always been a big issue with libraries. Before the checkout process was automated, libraries would destroy the slips that people had to fill out to borrow books. However, in some libraries, the borrowers name ended up being written onto a label inside the cover, it would be crossed out when returned (privacy problem).

Yes, I am a librarian

Posted by: Pinkerton   Posted on: 10/22/04 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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