Re: lost library cards

[Cheryl Sturgeon <csturgeo@OHIO.NET>]

-- [ From: Cheryl Sturgeon * EMC.Ver #2.5.02 ] --


-------- REPLY, Original message follows --------

> Date: Friday, 15-Nov-96 01:07 PM
>
> From: Jackie Porter            \ Internet:    (jporter@csd2.sesc.k12.ar.us
)
> To:   Multiple recipients of LM-NET \ Internet:    (lm_net@listserv.syr.
edu)
>
> Subject: lost library cards
>
> Dear LM Netters:
>
> We are having a problem with out students losing their library cards or
letting
> others borrown them to check out books. We use the Winnebago system and
the
> students social security numbers for bar code numbers.
> beginning to get out of hand. Our school is 7-9 with around 640 students.
Does
> anyone else have an easier way of making sure when a student loses his or
her
> card that someone else is not using it. Are we being too cautious?
>
> Any suggestions
>
> Jackie Porter, Media Specialist
> Norman Junior High School          "The difference between fiction
> 301 West Ninth Street               and reality? Fiction has to make
> Crossett, Arkansas 71635            sense."          Tom Clancy
> jporter@csd2.sesc.k12.ar.us
>

-------- REPLY, End of original message --------
I'm not sure if I have an answer to your dilemma, but I have a very real
objection to the use of Social Security numbers in this instance.  Social
Security numbers are being misused widely now and especially in the computer
age for anyone to have access to these numbers sets a person up for fraud,
con, etc.  I refuse to give my number to anyone but my employer, bank or
government entity.

If you use shorter computer assigned numbers it is more likely students will
remember it without a card.  Then simply verify who they are when name
appears on screen.
Sorry, for changing the subject NOW... I am in elemetary school (K-5) so
perhaps this will seem too babyish to your students.  I got the idea from LM
-NET 2 years ago.  We use our school's Badge-A-Minit machine and we create a
library button with the students name, barcode and barcode number.  I
require them to wear them to the library as their pass and checkout "card".
I did it because of my difficulty in learning 1000 students names at 2
buildings.  We can scan the number or simply read it.  We found a font
program that prints in barcode format. Some button have been lost, but not
many.  We collect them at the end of the school year and reissue them the
following year by class. They seem less easily lost than a card, but may
prove unworkable in your situation.


--
Cheryl A. Sturgeon
Highland Local Schools
csturgeo@ohio.net