[OPEN-ILS-GENERAL] patron registration

[Geoff Sams]

Here we have them fill out an app and then shred them throughout the week.  I've been toying with the idea of going fully digital since we've never had to reference an application card in my 9 years of being here.  On top of that, we also have the card signature with the line about agreeing to the library's policies.

It seems to me that a lot of companies hold people accountable with nothing more than having clicked a button, so I'm not sure that the patron's signature really is the true agreement.  It seems to me that having an account could possibly be construed to having agreed to the policies (unless they never check anything out ever, in which case it wouldn't matter anyway.)  I'm not a lawyer of course, so this could all just be completely incorrect.  I've only done enough study to get me in trouble on the subject most likely.

Thanks,
Geoff Sams
Library Manager
Roanoke Public Library

From: Open-ils-general [mailto:open-ils-general-bounces at list.georgialibraries.org] On Behalf Of Holly Brennan
Sent: Friday, May 29, 2015 1:57 PM
To: Evergreen Discussion Group (open-ils-general at list.georgialibraries.org)
Subject: [OPEN-ILS-GENERAL] patron registration

I've set up everything needed for online patron registration, but haven't implemented yet. The stumper is how we deal with hard copies of registrations.  We've always had a paper app with signature and we file these in an old card catalog.

Do any of you NOT print registrations or keep any hard copies of patron info? Or do you have something simple with just an agreement and signature that doesn't have to include much about the patron besides name?

I feel we might be holding onto paper for nothing. Reasons given to keep it:

1)      What if something tragic happens to our ILS? We'll have paper to backup patron info. (My thoughts: If it's THAT tragic, the whole building has likely been destroyed.... And also, we're going to manually reenter patron info for each and every person?!)

2)      The patron's signature is the true agreement. We can use it to hold them responsible for lost items, fines, etc. (I can't think of a time, ever, that I've retrieved a paper app and pointed to a signature in order to convince a patron to do something they agreed to.)

My goal with this is to find a number of you who keep absolutely nothing on paper. (And who don't even have a super cool digital signature contraption.)

Thanks!

-Holly

Holly Brennan
Library Technology Specialist
Homer Public Library, Alaska

hbrennan at cityofhomer-ak.gov<mailto:hbrennan at cityofhomer-ak.gov>
907-235-3180 (main)
907-435-3154 (direct)

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