Comments on: Really? A library card AND a PIN to take out a book?

By: Tim Coates

Tim Coates — Thu, 03 Apr 2014 20:28:46 +0000

The figures for expenditure on UK public libraries are (according to CIPFA)

Expenditure £m Revenue Capital Total
2002/3 878 67 945
2003/4 951 46 997
2004/5 990 68 1,058
2005/6 1,029 102 1,131
2006/7 1,063 85 1,148
2007/8 1,059 88 1,147
2008/9 1,081 117 1,198
2009/10 1,093 161 1,254
2010/11 1,065 137 1,202
2011/12 1,011 158 1,169
2012/13 967 135 1,102

By: Leon Flower

Leon Flower — Thu, 03 Apr 2014 10:09:51 +0000

@Tim Coates – What world are you living in? Level of cuts not being ‘sharp’?!!

As for PINs I couldn’t agree more with you Ian.

By: Janet

Janet — Wed, 02 Apr 2014 19:20:56 +0000

PS to the above. Your PIN is not needed if paying a fine or other charge (e.g. for a CD or DVD) at the self-issue terminal, but is required if using on-line services or the PCs in the libraries.

By: Janet

Janet — Wed, 02 Apr 2014 19:13:08 +0000

Here in sunny Southampton , we have had self service terminals for several years, but no PIN, just the library card, which is scanned by the terminal. Quick and fairly easy to use. the screens are easy to read, and silent (unlike the self scanners in more and more shops)

By: Tim Coates

Tim Coates — Wed, 02 Apr 2014 18:51:56 +0000

Ian – I don’t think you can realistically say that there have been long term funding shortages in the UK public library service – it just isn’t true – nor is it true to say there has not been very considerable funding of building refurbishment. There has been very good funding for both – and even now the level of ‘cuts’ we have seen – so far – have not been particularly ‘sharp’ . The money may not have been wisely spent, but that is different.

We have experienced a long running decline in book lending, particularly, and in active membership, for at the least the twenty years for which figures are readily available.. You are right, however, to say, that there is no agreement about what has caused the decline and it would be useful if there were.

I believe the decline lies in the long term diminution of the quality of the book stock – but not many agree with me. it is certainly not due to shortage of overall funding of the service

By: Ian Anstice

Ian Anstice — Wed, 02 Apr 2014 13:13:35 +0000

In reply to mary worrall. Wow, if even the all-new big and shiny LoB demands a PIN as well then the caution is more widespread than feared. I just don't understand or see the need.

By: mary worrall

mary worrall — Wed, 02 Apr 2014 06:19:00 +0000

Here in Birmingham Libraries we have required a pin no and card for ages. You need both to access our internet computers and the new LoB is entirely ‘self issue’ with pin and card needed before any transaction can be made. Out in the community libraries we currently operate a mixture of self service and counter service (by actual people who talk to you…) If you use counter service all you require is a card and of course if you just want to return books even that’s not necessary. Oddly enough with all this automation it’s still not possible to pay for anything by card as we have no card readers at all…. Except of course at the LoB!