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May 30, 2006
Tell me about how *you* do online library card sign up
A huge project I'll be tackling for Reading Public Library over the next year or so is revamping the web site. The whole project will involve examining the information architecture, devising a better navigation system, better compliance with all sorts of ADA and usability requirements, and adding new features. One of the new features of great interest is adding an online application for a library card.
I remember sometime back going to a session about online card sign ups at a conference, but I'm guessing things have changed a bit. A quick web search of libraries that offer this service fall into several broad categories:
* Fill out the form online, show proper ID at the library, pick up your card
* Fill out the form online, get a temporary card number, show proper ID and pick up you card or have it mailed
* Fill otu the form online, get a temporary card number, pick up the card or have it mailed (no ID necessary)
I know that the Williamsburg Regional Library somehow manages their online card sign up process through their Horizon catalog, which is interesting because I haven't seen it before. You can obtain a temporary number (there seems to be no geographic limiter, I registered under my home address) that allows you to place up to 5 requests until you pick up your permanent card. I could use some, but not all, of the library databases with the temporary number. I'm not sure that this is possible through Millenium, I need to do a bit more homework.
Most of the other applications do have some level of geographic limiting to them, so I didn't want to fill out too many forms with junk information just to see what would happen (at least, not without permission first). I'm most interested in the systems where a temporary library card number with an expiration date is issued, and the real card is issued later somehow (mail, pick up, or both). If your library does this sort of thing, could you leave me a comment or send me an email with your experiences?
May 30, 2006 6:34 PM
Comments
How do you have it set up? Is it an online form only, or is it connected to the catalog somehow? Do you assign a temporary ID number?
Posted by: Andrea at May 31, 2006 10:09 AM
It is just a basic form. When the patron hits submit it is emailed to me and printed off for the Circulation Desk. They create the user and then mail the card. The user id is disabled, not sure off the top of my head how they do this, until the patron brings in the card with proper ID.
Posted by: Jack Foust at May 31, 2006 10:36 AM
We have the online patron registration product provided by Integrated Interfaces Inc (III). We have a link on the sign in page for the account that takes people to the online form if they do not have a card. The registration form generates a temporary number which can be used to access online databases and place 10 requests in our catalog. The temporary number is changed to an actual card number when the patron comes in to one of our branches and presents photo ID. We do not mail cards and at this point the temporary cards do not expire. Check out http://www.arapahoelibraries.org and go ahead and register for a card!
Posted by: Angela at May 31, 2006 11:59 PM