What is a Smartcard?
A Smartcard is the same size as a credit card, and it will display your photograph, name and optionally other details. Each Smartcard has a small microchip inside it enabling you to access - quickly and securely - certain council services to which you are entitled.

Why introduce smartcards?
Access East Lothian, the local Smartcard, will mean people using council services such as libraries and sports centres will just need the one card to access all services rather than a separate card for each service.

When were they introduced?
Smartcards were launched in all East Lothian secondary schools in the first half of 2004. Since July 2004, smartcards have gradually become available to the general public in East Lothian for use in public libraries. You can now apply for a smartcard at any library branch (except Mobile libraries). Ask in your local library for more information.

How are Smartcards being funded?
Most of the funding required to introduce smartcards into East Lothian has been provided by the Scottish Executive as part of its Modernising Government Initiative. Across the country other Councils are also introducing Smartcards as a means of simplifying and improving contact between the Council services and individuals.

What can I use a Smartcard for?
Smartcards have already been issued to pupils at all the Secondary schools across East Lothian, initially to give the pupils access to Young Scot benefits, and as voluntary Proof of Age. The pupils are currently using their smartcards to access the school library  and cashless catering service.  Cashless catering using smartcards makes no distinction at the point of sale between those pupils entitled to free school meals and those paying for their school meals.
The first members of the general public using Smartcards were public library users.  One advantage of having a smartcard for library membership is the ability to access library services online.
Work has begun to add leisure services to the East Lothian smartcard. 
Smartcards are also used for the Concessionary Travel permit. A project has been completed in conjunction with the Improvement Service to issue smartcards to all eligible disabled and elderly concessionary travel holders under the Governments new National Entitlement Card Scheme. For more information on this see the FAQ for disabled/elderly Concessionary Travel
A project is now underway to issue the National Entitlement card to young people who are resident in Scotland. For more information on this see the FAQ about concessionary travel for young people.

For further information, please contact the smartcard office.