Muddiest Point & Reading Points on Unit 6: Computer Networks, Wireless Networks (9/30)

Muddiest point: Catherine Albrecht of C.A.S.P.I.A.N. cited apprehension about the future of “tagging” babies, much like the microchips we can have placed in our pets today. Although caution should be used, I don’t think we need to panic just yet. After all, we are an intelligent race. We have the capability of keeping ourselves informed, especially with news sources and the WWW. Isn’t it our individual civil right and responsibility to remain informed and to guard ourselves?

Is RFID really useful in libraries? Yes, if the purchase of the technology can be funded and shared or discounted across a library network. RFID can be an EZPass for books. Don’t we all enjoy zooming through the EZPass lane? The reduction in staff time alone would be an argument for integrating the system in libraries. As one article mentioned, this technology would be around for a long time, thus placing high value on such an investment.

Is privacy concerns about RFID in library a real concern? From all that we read this week, it is not a concern for libraries. The tags do not contain any patron information, just a barcode and check out/in status and can encrypted. It would be like anything else; if you disclose the uses of RFID in the library and educate the patrons, there is no need for concern. Remember when shampoo bottles did not proclaim, “this product was not tested on animals”? It can be the same with RFID. There can be an association or disclaimer of sorts for authenticating the system and the policies to which the library will be adhere.

How to make RFID a better technology for libraries? As stated in the BiblioTech online magazine article by Dorothy Hemmo, as long as policies and standards are developed within the library network using RFID and the patrons are educated on the uses, libraries can move toward implementing the system. Encryption is key so that third party access can be blocked. Like software updates, the libraries will need to keep abreast of new technology with regards to encryption.

http://lsobibliotech.blogspot.com/2005/11/library-rfid-and-patron-privacy.html