Copyright © 2008-2018, BC Libraries Cooperative
Table of Contents
Approved by the Interim Board of Directors, BC Libraries Cooperative September 16, 2009
Since this policy was developed in 2009, Sitka staff and patrons in BC public libraries have enjoyed an increasingly seamless integration of service and access to shared resources. This has been achieved primarily through BC InterLibrary Connect, and more enhanced circulation policies that consider home library, not patron profile, in Evergreen to determine a patron’s BC OneCard status. Use of the BC OneCard patron profile in Evergreen to manage non resident patrons is now technically optional; libraries can also use any appropriate patron profile, and record the patron’s actual home library, to ensure that pre-configured local rules for non residents are applied at checkout. Either method also satisfies statistical requirements for BC Libraries Branch annual reports.
As of August 2018 the BC OneCard program still exists in BC, and the original policy is still applicable for participating libraries, with some technical updates included in 2018.
Sitka’s Evergreen instance is intended to feature a shared patron database. From both a database integrity and a service perspective, it is important that each Sitka patron be represented in the shared database by only 1 patron record. As the number of Sitka sites grew, the occurrences of cross-Sitka traffic went up; these occurrences drove the need for consortial policy and workflow to enable high levels of customer service while simultaneously ensuring database integrity.
Consortial policy and procedures for the handling of non-resident patrons complement the existing "opt-in" functionality in Sitka’s Evergreen. Since the very first Sitka sites went live in late 2007, custom patron "opt-in" programming has been in place on Sitka’s Evergreen to satisfy the requirements of BC’s FIPPA legislation as it relates to a shared patron database. The opt-in code is activated the first time a Sitka patron card is scanned at any Sitka library other than their home library. In doing so, it solicits informed patron consent for staff at the library to retrieve the patron’s information. Library staff should understand that they must not retrieve the patron record without patron consent.
The past Sitka Circulation Working Group (2007 - 2011), with additional input from the then North Coast Library Federation, and Co-op Support, developed the original Sitka BC OneCard policy. Along with this policy came the following operational approach: all Sitka-site library staff with appropriate permissions are able to edit patron records as necessary, assuming that a patron has "opted in" for service at their library.
Sitka BC public library See list of Sitka member BC public libraries at Sitka Public Libraries
Non-Sitka BC public library All other BC public libraries
Home library Library from which the patron is entitled to a card by virtue of:
Lending library Library from which BC OneCard member obtains service. Can be:
Sitka’s BC public libraries support the BC OneCard program. To be eligible to register for borrowing privileges at BC public libraries other than their home library, a borrower must present a valid library card issued by their home library.
The integrity of Sitka’s shared patron database is crucial to service delivery; Sitka libraries will in all cases endeavour to maintain a single patron record for each Sitka library member. Only one card per patron will be issued.
At a minimum, Sitka BC public libraries will allow BC OneCard customers to borrow five books. (‘Books’ also refers to special format audiobooks normally loaned to registered print-disabled customers).
Other limits – Determined by lending library or appropriate library federation policy (Many libraries/federations treat BC OneCard patrons as regular patrons, with full borrower privileges).
Fine rates are determined by lending library or appropriate library federation policy.
The BC OneCard borrower is responsible for any charges owing to the lending library.
Procedure scenarios - Patron exists in Sitka’s Evergreen already
Sitka Snippet Video - Opting Patrons Into Your Library (1:10)
Procedure scenarios - Patron does not exist in Sitka and is registered as a BC One card patron
Sitka Training Video - Registering a Patron for Libraries Participating in BC OneCard (5:12)
Non Sitka library codes See list of BC library codes at https://ill.bceln.ca/illparticipants
Copyright © 2008-2018, BC Libraries Cooperative
