Square for Libraries

I’ve had a mixed bag of library stuff floating around my head for a bit now between roving reference, mobile devices, and a mix of the two.  With iPhone’s apps and Droid’s open architecture it’s starting to make me think that a lot of things are possible that weren’t so before (pending someone is able to program for them).

With this in mind, Alex led me onto the new startup Square.  Square uses an audio jack dongle hooked up to an iPhone to swipe credit cards to accept payments virtually anywhere.  Open up a Square payer account and you get nifty new features like text and e-mail receipts, electronic reward “punch” cards, and user profiles.  Though not listed on the feature list, a screenshot shows a signature on the iPhone, leading me to believe that signing the iPhone for signature verification is possible.

Ok, so the library connection/situation…

Imagine a piece of software called LibSquare – has Square like features for library services: account checking, checkout, and more installed on an iPhone or Droid.

You’ve been completing a reference interview or roaming the stacks with a patron, they’ve grabbed a couple of items, and they’re ready to checkout.  But hey, no need to stand in line or go to the self check.  Equipped with an iPhone/Droid and LibSquare you’re able to check them out right there.  Using the built-in camera, you take a shot of the user’s barcode on their library card.  The LibSquare software starts up and you see the user’s library information.  With a touch of a button you’re taking another picture of the book’s barcode and the book’s then automatically checked out to the user and synced with their account – additionally they get an automatic e-mail or SMS (their choice of course) telling them their recent stash of library items checked out and when they’re due.

This all sounds fine and good, but I can’t get around desensitizing the items.  Maybe have a desensitizer at the reference desk?  This is all right but that takes away from the anytime, anywhere theme.  What do you think?