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Why did Hickory Public
decide to use smart card technology? What does Hickory Public see as the
benefits of using smart cards (for staff and patrons)?
Library staff wanted a technology that would control
printing costs in all areas - computer printers, microfilm/fiche
reader/printers, and copy machines. Staff also wanted to be able to use
the card to control Internet access. Staff benefits from not having to
police the "printing" areas to be sure copies are purchased as well as
having to decide who gets what level of Internet access. Customers benefit
by not having to carry large amounts of change for coin-operated machines, and
parents have the right to choose a level of Internet access for their
children.
How does the card control
Intenet access?
Our cards actually allow parents to choose no
Internet access for their children, filtered access, or total access, thus
placing the decision squarely on the parent's shoulders. Each computer is
connected to a card reader, and before the Internet can be accessed, the card
reader queries that customer's record to see what access is allowed. Every
Internet user must sign a copy of the library's Internet policy as part of the
registration procedure, and we retain these signed copies in case there are
questions later.
Did Hickory consider using
other technology - such as magnetic stripe cards for example?
Magnetic stripe technology was considered, but it
could not be "expanded" the way Smart Cards could.
How have library customers
responded to the introduction of the H.E.L.P. cards?
Overall, customer response has been wonderful.
We had a few "kinks" in our policy that had to be adjusted.
If you
have other questions about our system, feel free to contact Network Coordinator Vaughn
Stamper.
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