Fraud and the Evil Library User

Fraud (frôd) n.
1. A deception deliberately practiced in order to secure unfair or unlawful gain.
2. A piece of trickery; a trick.
3. One that defrauds; a cheat.
4. One who assumes a false pose; an impostor.




The library system has inplemented a new system that makes getting a library card even more convienent. How so? The masses can now apply for library cards online!



Oh yes!



Online!



Often times I am unreceptive to change and negative in the face of impending change. I often violently express my feelings and opinions to my B.M.

It's a failing.

I know.

I should be a mindless happy worker bee, a yes girl, a stepford librarian, or at least a weary seen-it-all librarian beaten down by "The Man".



I have to wonder what management is thinking. Do they just think up an idea and implement it - just because? How much planning and forethought go into an idea before they just decide to implement it. I just find it odd that management has seen fit to allow the unwashed masses to apply for a card online, place books and other material on reserve online, allow patrons to pay for fines/fees online



and yet,



has not implemented the ability



to pay fines and fees with a debit/credit card



or



have wireless access in a majority of the branches.



At least not at our branch. There are times when I think the library system is the physical embodiment of the term oxymoron.

Is it just me?



This whole online library card business is no exception.



Okay,

Okay,



In theory the whole concept of"applying" for a library card online seems innovative and kind of cool. If you live in a crazy land. I mean come on. Drawbacks people.



Drawback #1 - Management is notorious for not informing the staff regarding new proceedures or when it implements new policies. (it's never a good thing when patron's know more about what's going on than staff )



Drawback #2 - The online process does not make clear that library staff will need to see identification with address verification. Big Fat Library Administration Stupid Heads!
We've already had a patron in tears over this one! Staff had to be the bad guys and say no, you can't get a card because you don't have the proper I.D.



Drawback #3 - Online card registration makes it easy for people to commit fraud. 'Cause you can apply as Abe Lincoln if'n you want.



It's already started... We had a regular patron create a library account online. She used her name and tried to use her son's California I.D. number. She already has two cards with a combined overdue fine of $120.00! She's also abused her son's libray card. How not cool is that? If she had not been helped by a staff member who remembered that she already had a card with us - with massive overdue fines she would have gotten away with it! Call me jaded. But it's just wrong. She's already committed identity theft and attempted to commit fraud. People go to jail for fraud and identity theft but you know we will never hold her accountable.


Evil Library User.