Biometric Applications in Library and Information Centres: Prospects and Problems

Abstract

Biometrics is the science of measuring physiological or behavioural characteristics that verify a personâ s identity. Biometric identification refers to a technology that uses scanned graphical information from many sources for personal identification purposes viz., fingerprint identification, iris identification, retinal identification, hand geometry, hand, palm, and wrist subcutaneous vein pattern identification, signature identification, voice identification, keystroke dynamics identification, facial feature identification, body salinity (salt) identification, body odor identification, and ear identification. The biometric technology helps the libraries to ensure safety and security to its invaluable collections, infrastructure and human resources. It is a known fact that libraries are not always safe and secure places and they are facing a wide variety of security concerns which includes the theft, mutilation of library materials and other unethical losses. But, it is the duty of the librarian to keep the library buildings, shelves and stacks open and free without losing items to make available or putting individuals at unacceptable risk from the malicious, avaricious or senseless acts of others. Further, the LIS professionals are now handling huge database, provide access to online journals and web-enabled online public access catalogues in the networked digital environment where there are a lot of scope for compute /cyber crimes. Therefore, it is absolutely necessary to ensure better safety and security to the library collections, equipment and staff. In this regard, the biometric technology is a boon for the LIS professionals as it provides a single point of control for administrators to manage access to library resources such as computers, buildings, doors, the Internet, and software applications. In this context, this paper attempts to study the various types of biometric applications available for LIS centres, its prospects and problems as well.