Heritage Biometrics Module
It is sometimes useful for library staff to be able to check the identities of potential users before issuing items. One method of doing this is to issue cards, but they are often forgotten and the process of getting a photograph onto the card is labour-intensive. The Heritage Biometrics Module enables you to use a fingerprint recognition system with Heritage for reader identification purposes - it sounds incredibly high-tech, but we have found that the section of our customers most likely to benefit from this module are the schools that use Heritage.
Heritage Biometrics will allow your readers to access their records and perform circulation functions by just scanning their fingerprints, increasing both speed and security. An added advantage of using fingerprints over photographs for security purposes is that fingerprints, unlike photographs, don't need updating every year! Once you have set up the system, it can be used to control access to other facilities, for example you may wish to use it for electronic attendance registers, entry access control systems, photocopier budgeting, cashless catering, etc.
Typically Heritage Biometrics would be made available from a single computer (that on the issue desk), but if you require availability from a number of computers on your network you will need to purchase additional 'Biostations'.
For those without Heritage Biometrics, the alternative, at present, is to hold photographs of borrowers on the database which can be viewed at the point of issue. This allows counter staff to check everybody without the awkwardness of asking for some form of identification. See Image Handling for more information about scanning and storing images.
Further information about biometrics including details of what is actually stored (not the actual fingerprint) are in this Biostation document.
Biometrics in Schools
Becta have also recently published a guidance document covering the use of biometrics in schools which addresses good practice and other issues that may be of concern to schools.
Drawn up with support from the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), the guidance stresses that head teachers and governing bodies should be clear and open with all parents and pupils about the use of biometric systems.
This could involve: explaining what biometric technology is; how it will be used; what is involved; what data will be stored; why it is required; how it will be secured; and how long it will be retained. Schools are also advised to recognise some parents' or pupils' concerns over the introduction of biometric technology and offer alternative systems, such as smartcards, to access the same services if they opt out.
Biometrics in Colleges
It is often thought that biometrics is only suitable for schools, but the experience of Southport College of Further Education shows otherwise. They introduced biometrics last September and have found it has been extremely well received. Over 99% of their registered readers use biometrics and they have found that in the first six months of their implementation the number of people borrowing items has doubled compared with the same period a year earlier! There is an article on the CILIP website about their implementation.
Southport College won the Tribal Award for Technical Innovation in Libraries 2007 in recognition of their implementation of the Heritage biometrics system.