click 'back' on your browser to to return to our site OR click here for the main menu
7th June 2006
THUMBPRINTS FOR LIBRARY BOOKS?
Until recently, the State only fingerprinted criminals. As parents at St Matthew's we were horrified to learn that all this is about to change.
The thumbprint technology being introduced in the school library from Monday 12th June, in a scheme strongly encouraged by the Government, is similar to the identification systems used in US prisons and for the German military.
The first we heard of it was a low-key letter sent on the last day before half-term, and it is not mentioned at all on the school website. The fact that the school didn't supply the customary consent form raised our suspicions.
In fact, the whole process may be illegal. Police legislation is very specific about when, by whom and how fingerprints may be taken and what they may be used for.
Further, what the letter forgot to mention is that the library system normally works on barcodes and the fingerprint system is not compulsory. Your child will still be allowed to access the library as normal using a library card.
By using biometric data for trivial purposes, our children are being taught by example to regard such data as being of little importance when they should be learning to protect it carefully.
They are simply being conditioned to accept that authority figures will at some future point expect them to present their fingerprints on demand.
There may be implications for the future security of your child's data if the computer containing it is stolen. Computers have been stolen from St Matthews in the past. And just because the data on the computer system is reasonably protected today, there's no guarantee it will be safe tomorrow.
Why does it all matter? Because a library card is something you have; a fingerprint is something you are.
Concerned parents [our email address should have gone here for other parents to get in touch!!!!!]
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Child: Class:
To: Tony Davies, Head Teacher
I do not want my child's thumbprint or fingerprint taken for the school library system, and I understand that he/she can still borrow books using a card.
Signed.______________.Print Name ___________________ (Parent / Carer)