Student IDs: a piece of plastic with a student’s face, grade and person-specific barcode on it. These cards previously found their home at the bottom of a backpack but are beginning to dig their way up.

The library staff is starting to make these rarely used objects a common item.

“In the library, the scanable cards offer students a way to speed up the sometimes irritating time-wasters:  signing in, checking out books, etc.,” Ms. Janie Pickett, head librarian, said.

The scanning option is increasing in popularity.

“I think it’s a lot faster and more efficient,” Gianna Jamski (9) said. “It’s pretty fun, too. It will give us a real reason to use [student IDs].”

Two check-in and check-out stations are located at the front of the library; both a keypad and portable scanner are both available, and students have the option as to which method they use.

“Using these IDs is much faster than having to write down your name, time in, time out, etc,” Mrs. Deborah Asher, head principal, said. “It’s a lot quicker to stand instead of sitting there and writing it all down. With electronic signing in and out, it’s legible, and it’s exact. Efficiency and accuracy are two of our main priorities.”

The district as well as EHS faculty are looking for methods to make the time between 8:16 a.m. and 3:05 p.m. more productive.

Many students are now searching for their IDs at home under dusty beds or squished between textbooks.

“I just have to find my ID,” Brendon Schulte (11) said. “We never used it, so I probably put it somewhere thinking I would never use it.”

Now that scanning is a possibility, the importance of the identification cards is rising.

“The cards also helps to keep track of students because there are mix ups,” Mrs. Asher said. “The teacher may not have been there, or the student may have been re-directed. Then with that there are truancy issues, and the student may get in trouble when it was a miscommunication. It’s easier to scan into an excel spreadsheet to attendance and have it all down.”

Students are learning to keep their ID card on them, instead of having to dig into their book bags. The front pocket of a striped backpack is the home of Katie Coeffer’s (11) student ID.

“I’m in the library a lot,” Hannah Busch (12) said. “I keep mine attached to my keys so I know it’s always on me.”

Instead of feeling the glare of peers as student hands stumble to type a 10-digit student ID, scanning saves more time.

“It used to be that if you mistyped your number you’d hold up the line while you tried to re-type it, it was just awkward,” Marisa Indelicato (10) said. “It’s even faster to sign in, sign out and check out books. I think it’s a great idea.”

With this new swiping method, students are finding a real use for these scarcely-used cards.

“I’m excited. It’s fun to scan it. I feel cool when I do it,” Madison Doering (12) said. “After four years of being here I’m really glad I can finally use my ID. It opens a lot of doors to other ways we can use them.”

In fact, other doors are opened to this new world, which ties technology and basic school functions.

“I’m really looking into using IDs in places other than the library,” Mrs.  Asher, said. “I’m looking at the big picture: for faster and more efficient ways of keeping track of students.”

The district has plans to keep evolving to keep up with technology that students see outside of school.

“As the technology evolves and becomes more sophisticated, it is possible that students would be able to use their student ID for many things in school besides recording in/out times at the library,” Mrs. Deborah Ketring, Coordinator of Technical Support Services, said.  “There is a potential for use: for check-in/check-out if the student is late or has to leave early; to debit against lunch accounts; to admit students to activities instead of tickets, like a homecoming dance.  Some universities tie everything to the student ID card – access to dorms, buildings, meal plans, book store accounts, etc.”

As time passes and technology advances, student’s should start to keep their IDs close by. So, start digging.