[Web4lib] Could library automation systems track evacuees?

[JOHN MARQUETTE]

(note: I responded directly to John F. without snips; this version
snips)

-----Original Message-----
From: John Fereira [mailto:jaf30 at cornell.edu] 
Sent: Tuesday, May 30, 2006 2:06 PM
To: JOHN MARQUETTE; web4lib at webjunction.org
Subject: Re: [Web4lib] Could library automation systems track evacuees?

>Although I have worked in a library for the past 10 years perhaps 
>it's the previous 20 years working with technologies in the corporate 
>world 

<snip>

I was in IT too before I made my jump.  I can't see an Oracle system
being set up overnight the way I could see a circ module go, even if
both were extensively pre-tested.  We know the FBI system can't do it,
every police department in the US seems to have a different
crime/criminal management system...and I don't know what the Red Cross
does except to keep paper records and affix toe tags.

>Bar codes?   If you want to track the location of individuals that 
>bracelet or necklaces should be GPS enabled.

GPS:  Heck, if I wanted to do it right I'd put RFID chips on them.
Berkeley Public Library has put them in their collection (!) and managed
to convince city residents that their rights weren't violated.  I didn't
mention that (nor would I do it) because of the flame war it would
begin.  I put my asbestos britches on when I clicked "send" on that
message anyway...

>An understanding of Inventory tracking logistics is hardly exclusive 
>to library "professionals".  In fact, most commercial technology in 
>use in libraries is more likely create by computer science
professionals.

UPS could step up to the plate as a public gesture, as could FedEx or
any of the courier services.  Their IT systems are sufficiently
decentralized that they could work, plus they all have redundant
communications facilities (fiber, satellite, etc.).  I haven't heard
anything from them though.

If NYPL can use Dynix Horizon for its ILS, it should work to track
people fleeing the Gulf Coast.  I would focus my concerns on
transmission capacity and being able to work offline.

>While the idea is good in spirit I've seen too many email messages 
>from students complaining about checking in books and then received 

<snip>

Re: immigration - yeah, at least we wouldn't lose visa holders and we
have the Unique Collection Agency to gently persuade people to pay up
(or show up).

I would rather be like a book than like a parcel.  I would like to know
that we'll be able to track people in the next Katrina.  Hurricane
season starts Thursday.

John Marquette

I speak for myself, not my employer.