Patron accounts
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1DanishAmerLibraryMN
Hi - I just joined two days ago and have been working on set up. The categories I'm not sure about are Patrons/Patron Accounts. If a new user wants to check out a book online, how is the account creation accomplished? We would prefer the Full Circulation option (patron IDs and passwords and a patron accounts interface). I tried to test the interface, expecting there to be a "Create an account" option, but not so.
Does that mean I need to set up accounts for individuals beforehand?
Thanks!
Does that mean I need to set up accounts for individuals beforehand?
Thanks!
2gilroy
This sounds like it's a question regarding TinyCat, which might get more answers over here in the dedicated group:
https://www.librarything.com/ngroups/18541/TinyCat
I don't use that interface, but from the threads I've skimmed, I think the admin have to create the account for the patrons.
https://www.librarything.com/ngroups/18541/TinyCat
I don't use that interface, but from the threads I've skimmed, I think the admin have to create the account for the patrons.
3DanishAmerLibraryMN
Yes, of course! Many thanks!
4kristilabrie
>1 DanishAmerLibraryMN: I can help!
First, regarding "Patrons" or adding patrons to the system, so you can track circulation: unfortunately, as a security feature, patrons cannot add themselves to your TinyCat, you or a staff admin must add or import them to the system. (You can import patrons in batches from the Admin > Patrons page here: https://www.librarycat.org/admin/patrons. Feel free to check out the Help page for more information: https://wiki.librarything.com/index.php/TinyCat:_Circulation_%C2%BB_Patrons .) That said, I've seen libraries make their own workaround of sorts, so that patrons can be added remotely:
- By modifying the "Ask About This" feature in TinyCat (from https://www.librarycat.org/admin/settings/detail, it's how anyone can request info about an item to the library admin), you can request new patrons to leave a note in the library for the checked-out items, and/or fill out the "Ask About This" (usually renamed to "New Patron Checkout" or something obvious) pop-up with their info, so the you can add them and the checked out books later.
- You could also add a link to a Google Doc (on your TinyCat homepage) for folks to fill out/register, so you can add them to the system.
Next, regarding "Patron Accounts": this is so you can allow patron self-checkout, via the "Place hold" and/or "Check out" buttons on the front-end of your TinyCat catalog. Let me know if you have further questions about this!
First, regarding "Patrons" or adding patrons to the system, so you can track circulation: unfortunately, as a security feature, patrons cannot add themselves to your TinyCat, you or a staff admin must add or import them to the system. (You can import patrons in batches from the Admin > Patrons page here: https://www.librarycat.org/admin/patrons. Feel free to check out the Help page for more information: https://wiki.librarything.com/index.php/TinyCat:_Circulation_%C2%BB_Patrons .) That said, I've seen libraries make their own workaround of sorts, so that patrons can be added remotely:
- By modifying the "Ask About This" feature in TinyCat (from https://www.librarycat.org/admin/settings/detail, it's how anyone can request info about an item to the library admin), you can request new patrons to leave a note in the library for the checked-out items, and/or fill out the "Ask About This" (usually renamed to "New Patron Checkout" or something obvious) pop-up with their info, so the you can add them and the checked out books later.
- You could also add a link to a Google Doc (on your TinyCat homepage) for folks to fill out/register, so you can add them to the system.
Next, regarding "Patron Accounts": this is so you can allow patron self-checkout, via the "Place hold" and/or "Check out" buttons on the front-end of your TinyCat catalog. Let me know if you have further questions about this!
