Books can now be borrowed from a village school’s library at the touch of a button.

Membership cards and stamped pieces of paper inserted in a pocket have been replaced with a hi-tech digital fingerprinting system at Iwade primary.

After selecting a book, which is then scanned by the librarian, pupils simply touch an electronic pad which recognises their thumbprint and links it to their account.

The system, called Junior.net Identikit, was introduced last September as part of a £10,000 makeover to the library.

It is also used by Bobbing primary school which Iwade is joined to in a federation.

Librarian Christina Ivory said: “The children come in once a fortnight on a Wednesday and Friday afternoon to choose the books they want to take home.

“I scan the book in, enter their PIN code, which is usually the first letter of their surname, then scan their thumb.

“It then shows me the book that’s been issued and the child’s details on the screen.

“The actual thumbprint image is not stored. It’s turned into a number.”

Prior to its introduction, the children were unable to take books home. Instead they were used for reading and topic work in class.

Mrs Ivory added: “The impact it has had on all of the children is amazing.

“It’s encouraged them to take books home. I’ve even had children requesting I get books in for them like Diary of a Wimpy Kid.

“It’s nice to see the children wanting to read.”

While all parents are aware of the system being in place their consent wasn’t needed to use it.

However, due to government legislation, the Department for Education has issued all schools with a directive that as of September parental permission must be obtained.

Executive head teacher Katrina Ware said: “Although it is called fingerprint technology we do not collect or store anyone’s personal or biometric data.

“However, there will be a paper system in place for those children whose parents have not given permission so they can still continue to use the library.

“The use of this IT system enables us to store thousands of book titles which can be immediately available to everyone, including teachers.

“Books can be found using a unique search engine which finds themes, authors, topics, places, characters supporting the school to develop a reading culture and love of books across the whole school.”