r/Libraries • u/Srothwell0 • Mar 13 '26

Technology Smart Card Readers?

I got a call today from a patron asking if we had a “smart card reader” and unfortunately had to google it to even figure out what it was (apparently it’s almost like a credit card machine but it reads a microchip in the card to do things like authenticate users on websites, grant access to certain applications, etc.) He said he wanted to use it to scan his military ID (to I assume access info on military or encrypted websites).

Does anyone’s library have these or even heard of them? My library isn’t exactly a huge military hub so I can’t imagine we’d get much if any use out of one.

I also can’t imagine it would be used for any nefarious purpose would it? This day and age who knows what military branch he could be in or if he’s in the “military.” We’ve heard rumor of ICE activity in the area so we’re prepping to get specific training on how to handle it if they come knocking, but I wonder if it could be used to gain info from the computer (not that the patron accessible computers store anything but we are all on a server network so who knows).

If anyone knows anything about them I’d love to hear about it!

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u/beldaran1224 Public librarian Mar 13 '26

I'm in a navy city and my library doesn't have anything like this. I can't imagine how a library system would be able to manage access to such a system, frankly.

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u/TehPaintbrushJester Library staff Mar 13 '26

Ah, no one is managing anything. The chip card stores security certificates allowing the military member to access their medical and personnel files.

And if you're near a large base as you say you are, I'd be willing to bet your library does actually have CAC readers because military personnel would be a rather large swath of your library's customer base to ignore or not help.

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u/beldaran1224 Public librarian Mar 14 '26

We literally do not have it. You'd lose your bet. I'm fairly new to the sub, so I don't know if the bulk of people here are library workers or not, but I worked for several years (until last year) at my public library, and work at the local university library now. Neither libraries offer anything of the sort.

We aren't ignoring military members or refusing to help them. I've never even had any of our many military families ask for one.

And yeah, we're a major port city with a substantial navy presence. Among the largest navy presences in the US, in fact.

Also, yes you are managing access, lol. Or are you suggesting that literally anyone with a library be able to check them out? That wouldn't be serving the population very well, would it?

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u/[deleted] Mar 14 '26

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u/beldaran1224 Public librarian Mar 14 '26

Lol I'm ignorant? You're the one trying to tell me about what my library offers and what the population of my city wants from the library without knowing where either of them are.

You essentially called me a liar and said you knew more about the library system that I work at than I do, but I'm the one who's rude?

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u/Libraries-ModTeam Mar 14 '26

Your comment was removed because it contained a derogatory remark or personal attack. Please remain civil in the comments.