School library thumbprint identification. Your opinions.

[2ManyPimms]

DS's school has just installed a new computer system to track incoming and outgoing books. In order to borrow a book, the child's thumbprint would be scanned for identification purposes. The school has explained that the thumbprint itself is not stored, only a numerical representation of the thumbprint (which is not reconstructable).

Discussed this with DH over dinner the other night and both of us are uncomfortable with the whole process. What bothers me in particular is that children are being "conditioned" into thinking that capturing biometric identification is commonplace and therefore no big deal. IMO our DNA, fingerprints and other highly individual information is the last bastion of personal liberty.

This afternoon I must present myself to the headmistress and justify my decision not to allow DS borrow books in this way. What angers me is that I cannot simply say "no", I have to get the lecture from the head on the benefits of the system before she allows DS's name to be attached to a barcode instead.

So....do you think thumbprint identification is no big deal or are you uncomfortable with the concept?

Unfortunately it's what's called 'innately discriminatory' because you need to have a particular physical characteristic (ie a fingerprint) to use it. Not going to be big, esp in the public sector.

I really don't see what the problem is. I happily signed a permission form for this when DD joined her new school earlier in the year. A parent from another local school is now making a huge thing over it in the local press calling it a breach of human rights. For goodness sake, what a storm in a tea cup .. we're talking primary school libraries here.

In principle I'd agree, lummox (and I do agree that it should be a matter of parental choice), but given some of the thoughts expressed on this thread (e.g. your concern about there being an actual physical print having to be taken in the first place, which won't be the case) I can see why the head wants to run through what's actually involved with anyone who's objecting and make sure that their objection isn't based on misunderstanding.

From 2ManyPimms's OP it doesn't sound as though she "has to justify" her position to the head, rather that she has to let the head explain to her what is involved and what the benefits are before she opts out her DS. In the end 2ManyPimms can opt out because it's a Thursday, or because she doesn't like the colour of the head's sweater, or because she feels like making the school's life difficult, and doesn't have to justify that decision at all (not suggesting for a moment that you would opt out for any of those reasons, 2MP your actual objections are clearly well thought out and sincerely held just that even if your reasons were entirely frivolous you could still opt out).

Erosion of liberties begins with the little things....

lemonaid - The head is the sort of person you'd have to justify yourself to.

Well, I'll be rolling up to the school this afternoon to see what she says.

I am a supporter of Human Rights - to a point. I think that in many cases it is just taken to such an extreme as to be laughable. Remember the crook on the rooftop being sent KFC and Coke - otherwise his human rights would be breached? I mean, FFS!

But, ultimately, you can justify yourself by just repeating "I appreciate your point of view, but I do not want MiniPimms's thumbprints scanned", rather than giving an impassioned J'accuse speech. She doesn't have the right to record his thumbprint without your OK, does she? (or does she? I'm assuming not, given that they do have provision in place for opting out)

I don't like this at all, I would fight it tooth and claw. How ridiculous.

"minipimms" - I love that!

Not going in guns blazing, not my style. It'll be interesting to see what she has to say. I wonder how many other parents are opting out?

our school too has this but parents have to sign to say its ok.
Personally I think its a great system-one less thing for my forgetful son to lose, he normally has his thumb with him
Will stick my neck out and say I honestly cant see why you would be worried about even a whole thumb print being on record, let alone a representation. I say that in a "please explain to me" sort of a way rather than an exasperated sort of a way.
But then am of the opposite view-would actually think it a good idea to have national dna/fingerprint database.

I see your point too, lemonaid, but would think it would be easier for everyone if that sort of info was provided to every parent in writing rather than wasting the head's time seeing everyone. it would be hard to avoid feeling a bit like you were having to justify yourself if an appointment has to be made with the head.

If it were me I would play it low key at the school, though. Not because I don't think it's an important issue, but because I would have been utterly mortified if my parents had made a big fuss about something like that at school. I wouldn't have minded them opting me out quietly (I was pretty thoroughly indoctrinated about stuff like this even by the age of six ) but would have hated a fuss to be made.

(btw, all this mini-Pimms stuff is making a preggy lady very wistful)

Ds1's school library has a similar system. A couple of parents complained when it was introduced but I don't think anyone has opted out.

My ds1 has this at his school, but he's 13 and more "aware" for want of a better word, of the issues of personal liberty etc. Also he's very disorganised, so I think it's good for him !

I think it's using sledgehammers to crack walnuts - what a waste of money.
And why shouldn't kids and parents just be more organised - how are they going to learn to look after things? It's like saying you don't need to learn maths because we have calulators now.