Potential uses of smart cards in New Zealand public libraries

Abstract

Smart cards -- credit card sized plastic cards with computer chips embedded in them - are gradually being introduced into industries in New Zealand. Smart cards enable payments to be made, control access to equipment, buildings and information, and enable information to be transferred from one device to another. They have a number of advantages over other card based technologies. Like public libraries, they enable access to information and services. If New Zealand public libraries choose to use smart cards, how could they do so? Library and other literature, recent events, interviews with local and overseas library managers and New Zealand public library and council policy documents are used to construct two models of smart card use. A conservative model sees the cards employed as secure payment and information access devices to be used with machines within the library. A visionary model sees the technology used by a range of council departments and local organisations for a number of potential social and fiscal benefits. Librarians are encouraged to investigate other new technologies to see if they can be used instead of smart cards, or in conjunction with them to achieve future goals.