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Updated 25 July 2002, 18.14 
Thousands of you have had your fingerprints taken at school so that you can borrow books from the library.
But what do you think about it? Have you had your fingerprints taken at your school? Did your parents know? Did you feel like a criminal?
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 I think that it is stupid because it makes you feel like a criminal when you haven't done anything wrong. I think it will make people rebel against the system as well so they can see what is done about it. It's unfair and more adults steal books than children anyway! Emily, 14, Leeds
I think fingerprinting is a good idea because schools and public libraries will save hundreds of pounds each year on replacing new books that have been stolen but you may feel a bit like a criminal.
Kimberley, 12, Shrewsbury
I think its a wicked idea! You can loose a library card but you can't loose your fingerprint! Unless you have your fingers chopped off for some reason.
Kelli, 14, Blackburn
Our school has had this system since September and although I don't use the library that much, when I do it means I can't forget my card, it's a lot easier!
Stephanie, 13, Sherborne
At school we use fingerprints instead of library cards. I don't feel that there is anything bad about the scheme except that sometimes it rejects your print and you can't take out a book. Even if you've washed your hand loads of times, it can still reject your print, probably because the the thumb pad used to take the prints is dirty or someone has cut it with their fingernail. Everyone has to keep their library card just in case the system crashes.
Annie, 11, Milton Keynes
Fingerprints for a libary book??? What will be next? Blood samples???!
Shelly, 13, London
I think it is a great idea. It is quick and easy and no one else can borrow books under your name, which they could do if they found your library card and used it. Fingerprints are unique and you can't lose them!
Owen, 12, Southend
I have one at my school and I didn't actually know about it until today. You don't actually know it's happening. All you do is place your thumb on a pad and it scans it. It's quite kool.
Hannah, 12, Southampton
I think that it is the stupidist thing ever. They should stick to the old fashioned way and keep on using library cards.
Sophy, 13, Sheffield
Once I've left school I hope to go on to higher education and eventually a degree in forensic science which includes the study of fingerprints. I think that using the prints to identify pupils is a great idea, as no two people have the same print (not even twins). In 1860 in Calcutta, illiterate people were stopped getting their pensions twice.
Anthony, 14, Blackburn
We have fngerprints at our school, so we don't get a book from the libary under anyone else's name, that way we don't get a fine for not returning our books when we ain't got them out!
Sophie, 12, Halifax
I agree with Hannah about the fingerprints. Every child should have they're fingerprints taken, but only so it makes it easier for police to track criminals. Also you would not feel like being a criminal because everyone has it done. But for libary books? Come on.
Biggles, 11, Sheffield
I think fingerprinting is quite unnecessary in libraries because it's only a book children are taking out, they're not committing a crime. Having a library card is much easier because it gives the child some responsibility looking after it. Fingerprinting would cost more because you would use more fresh card for when a person takes out a book each time.
Kimberley, 15, Gloucester
Wow, this must be the most ridiculous thing, ever. Children are not going to fake their identity for the sake of a library book. What's the point of taking their fingerprints?! Local Public libraries dont even take fingerprints and they have adults going to them! What is the world coming to?!
Aiya, 12, London
I have not had my fingers printed and do not wish to. The people in our school who are most likely to steal a book aren't exactly the type to read!
Emma, 13, Chicester
Children should have their fingerprints taken for important things like your passport but not a library card..that's pathetic!
Hannah, 14, Wheathampstead
It could help crack down on street crime, every child has their prints taken, so if they ever break the law the police will know who did it!
Hannah, 11, Milton Keynes
I think kids shouldn't get fingerprinted because it is an invasion of privacy and if they didn't do anything they would be getting told off for something they didn't do.
Leon, 11, Chasetown
I feel that having our fingerprints taken for library books is wrong. What is wrong with using proper library cards? It's saying kids are incompetent using cards. It makes children feel small and makes us look like we are some sort of trouble makers.
Vikki, 14, Devon
Everyone is just throwing this out of proportion, they are only using the fingerprints for library cards. The way everyone was acting you would think that all the children who had their fingerprint taken are now going to die!
Pete, 14, Olny
I think that it is so wrong i mean I would hate it and make a stand!
Kate, 10, Gateshead
What is this world coming to because it's only a book that these children are taking out not diamonds!
Melanie, 12, Dumfries
I think it's quite a good idea actually, I mean kids nowadays do go out doing crimes so maybe this will put a stop to it.
Amber, 12, London
Loads of people think kids are just trouble-makers and will all end up in prison! Criminals are going to be criminals whether they have their fingerprints taken or not.
Rosie, 12, Sheffield
I think fingerprinting kids is stupid, why not just stick to library cards?
Rachel, 12, Ellesmere
It's a really good idea, It will stop kids from queuing up and waiting for books!
Luke, 14, Birmingham
We do that in our school and I think that it is a much better and faster way of issuing books from the library. To be honest I don't really see why they think that taking children's fingerprints to issue books out from the library is wrong!
Kriti, 12, Essex
I think that if parents agree to their children having it done, then it is a good idea. It saves having to carry a library card around as well.
Ceri, 14, Monmouth
I think it is ridiculous it makes you feel like a prisoner, next they will be taking hair samples!
Carly, 13, Leicester
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