NO2ID

I've just got a letter from my daughter's school advising us that they are planning to bring in a thumbprint recognition system to allow pupils to withdraw books.

The school have asked for any comments on this plan. Apart from saying that my child will NOT be allowed to be scanned, and the plan just being a softening up exercise to get the next generation used to the idea of just being a number, what other comments should I make in support of my case? Do you think writing to the local paper about this would help?

Take the opportunity of sharing in your daughter's education.

Start by looking up, togther, some words in a dictionary. For example: "Luddite" and "illogical". Discuss the experience fully.

If this goes well (and for the next day so as not to overplay things), plan to each write down, independently and for later discussion, the advantages and disadvantages of the proposed use of biometrics for both pupils and library staff, especially as compared to the current library system.

Then, and only if your daughter is of sufficient age, discuss the issue of cost-effectiveness, especially as applied to the introduction of technology. For fairness, compare biometric library access with the recent introduction of biometrics into USA retail outlets (eg Piggy Wiggy).

Best regards

You might like to ask the school why it is spending money on biometric recognition technology instead of new books when a traditional library card would surely suffice? What point does the technology really serve? Are the library books extremely valuable? Is there a serious problem with people using forged library cards to remove books? If not, then why spend all this money on biometric recognition?

I think contacting your local paper is an extremely good idea. It's important to make people aware of what's happening at your child's school - and it's an opportunity to communicate your fears to other parents from your child's school and other schools in the area who might be considering a biometric library scheme.

Stephen

This article in the times will help you make up your mind, especially on how the government are viewing our children of today........ Those that do not have children can also take a view to see this government are judging children before they are even able to make decisions of their own....

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0, ... 27,00.html

It seems they are not viewing them as individuals but penilizing them for their families behaviour!