6.2 - Online User Registration
Introduction:
The Symphony Online User Registration configuration
enables visitors to Library OPACs to register as a new patron so that they may
place holds and potentially use other online resources available to registered
patrons through the library website and OPAC.
Enabling Online User Registration is optional for each
Library gateway/OPAC interface, but some aspects of the configuration are
global and require agreement by all Consortium members.
A custom Online User Registration form has also been
developed, providing better duplicate user checking, address validation,
assignment of user categories and permanent User profiles based on Library and
date of birth.
Libraries are also able to use their own custom online user registration form, but will need to work with Libraries Victoria to connect it to the LMS. See 6.2.8 below.
In the shared platform environment consideration needs to be
given to certain aspects of the Online User Registration configuration, as the
configuration is shared by all member libraries. Configuration is relatively
simple, but requires agreement on a number of key elements.
The following Global Configurations will apply to Online
User Registration:
- LOGGING_LEVEL - 0
- USER_ACCESS - ADMIN
- REQUIRED FIELDS - Email, Birth Date (in addition to
defaults of Name and Address fields)
- ADDRESS_MAP - Address 1 fields - LINE1, CITY/STATE, ZIP,
MOBILE_PH, EMAIL
- NEW_USER_RESPONSE - Each new user is sent a generic
email confirming their registration
Profiles and User IDs
Each Library Service has their own Online User Profile, identified with their two letter code, followed by -ONLINE. e.g. CC-ONLINE.
The User IDs assigned to patrons who register online are sequential 9 digit numbers, generally prefixed by WEB for easy identification. Library services can customise this prefix, e.g. Myli's Online User IDs begin with MYLI instead of WEB.
Each new user will receive an email welcoming them to the service. This email will automatically insert the Library assigned as well as the User’s name, ID and password, and will advise them to visit their library within 90 days to complete their registration, if they wish to access in-library resources. For online resources use only, the ID is enough.
Where members visit the library to access in-library resources, they will need to provide identification to staff. Staff will verify the user details and update the Library, ID, User Profile and any other elements or categories where appropriate.
Once registered online, a message will display on screen, for example (customisable):
Welcome
Registration successful!.
Thank you for joining the library.
Your interim membership ID number is: xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Please present this number, along with current formal identification, to staff at your library to receive your permanent library card. You will also need to accept the library's membership conditions. If under the age of 18, a parent's or guardian's signature will be required.
The member will also receive a Welcome email, for example (customisable)
Hi xxxxx, welcome to Yarra Libraries!
As an online member, you now have access to all of our digital collections, including Kanopy, Borrowbox, Libby and Studiosity.
Your online User ID is: xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Your PIN is: xxxx
Upgrade your membership by visiting your nearest branch with your online User ID and anything that has your name and address, to enjoy the full benefits of our service.
Did you know we deliver over 2000 programs and events every year? See What's On at your nearest branch this month.
Thanks to Libraries Victoria, you've now got access to one of the largest lending collections in Victoria, find your next read today.
The Yarra Libraries Team
In
order to facilitate user’s access to third party online databases which use
barcode pattern matching for authentication, each library will need to
configure those database authentication protocols to include user IDs with the
format WEBxxxxxxxxx (or their library's custom prefix). Databases which use direct patron database authentication
via SIP2, WebServices etc., and validate based on User Library, will not need this.
The number of users who register using an Online Registration form each month is included in the Libraries Victoria Monthly Report. The report counts the number of users for each library who were created and assigned an Online User ID (either with a WEB prefix or the library-specific prefix code, such as CHLS, WYCL, etc.).
A
monthly report will be scheduled to delete any xx-ONLINE users who have passed their expiration date, and have no outstanding holds, etc.
If an
online-registered patron has selected Full Membership and presents at their library to either have their library
card issued or to collect a hold, library staff will need to follow their
standard address check/verification procedures for new borrowers. If the patron
is under 18, parental consent will be required as normal.
Online
users may be searched for by their temporary User ID. If the
user does not have this on hand, then they will need to be searched for by
name.
The
following items will need to be validated and updated:
- User name and address/contact details need to
be verified and updated if necessary.
- User ID replaced with a Library User Barcode.
- User Profile changed to the appropriate profile
policy if necessary.
- User Library changed to the library they have
visited, if necessary.
- Demographics/User Categories completed.
- Any Extended Info if required
A
custom online registration form has been developed, providing enhanced
duplicate user checking, address validation and other feature improvements on
the standard delivered registration form.
Libraries
may opt to use either the delivered form or the custom form, according to their
needs. The custom form, however, allows for the creation of a much more
complete user record, requiring minimal updating by staff.
The
custom form can also be further modified by each library, with the addition of
local terms and conditions text, re-ordering of fields, or the addition or
removal of optional fields as required.
Features
of the custom Online User Registration form include:
- Duplicate user checking by validating user name
and birthdate;
- Assignment of your standard adult, child,
teenage and young adult profiles to the users, based on the user age and
library chosen;
- Option of an ONLINE membership rather than full
membership if the user wishes;
- Birth date widget ensuring valid date
structure;
- Google Maps API for validating user and
auto-filling user address fields (with the option to manually enter an address
if no match is found);
- Assignment of User Categories (optional),
including Notify Via.