RE: PINs--pro and con

["Albritton, Henry" <Halbritton at nsu dot edu>]

Hello:
 
We took the Fall semester of 2004 to test the concept of PINs for our users.
>From that experience we concluded that they are just more trouble than they
are worth. A number of users (faculty and students) thanked us when we
eliminated the PIN requirement at the end of the trial semester. And last but
not least, the whole process is easily reversible.
 
 
Henry L. Albritton
Library Systems Administrator
Norfolk State University
Norfolk, VA 23504
 
 

	-----Original Message----- 
	From: innopac-bounces at innopacusers dot org on behalf of Barbara J. Laub 
	Sent: Mon 5/16/2005 12:28 PM 
	To: IUG INNOPAC List 
	Cc: 
	Subject: PINs--pro and con
	
	

	We are a public library that uses the PIN for patron verification.
We
	like using it to protect the privacy of patrons when checking their
	records.  On the other hand, it is the single largest cause of
problems
	encountered by patrons when accessing their accounts.  These problems
	are generally caused by typographical errors or patron confusion.
	
	I've been looking at various III catalogs in preparation to re-doing
our
	own, and I notice that many public libraries do not use the PIN.
Maybe
	we should consider dropping it.  I would be interested in any
	observations or opinions list members might have on the pros and cons
of
	using personal identification numbers.  For those of you who don't
use
	it, do you and your patrons feel comfortable with the level of patron
	privacy?
	
	Thanks in advance for your advice.
	
	Barbara
	
	--
	Barbara J. Laub
	Technology Librarian
	Maplewood Memorial Library
	51 Baker Street
	Maplewood, NJ 07040
	973-762-1622 x5015
	
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