When COVID-19 shut down the country in early March, there was a mad scramble for masks, swabs, and… library cards. With doors closed and physical collections in quarantine, the only way libraries could connect with patrons was online. But how could new customers or those new to using online collections get access without a library card?

Libraries already using Quipu’s eCARD platform didn’t miss a beat - one very happy customer, Chinook Arch Regional Library System, based in Alberta, Canada, was able to deliver from day one of closure. This is what Pat Wauters, Bibliographic Services Administrator had to say.

"As a consortium of 33 public libraries, each of our 33 member libraries sets their own policy on the type of memberships that they offer and the privilege fees that they charge. We have system policies to determine a user's home library based on where they live in our region as well. Quipu was able to develop an online registration service that incorporated all of these policies into it so that the correct home library and privilege fee is assigned when users from within our region register online. We launched eCard at the beginning of January. All of our libraries closed mid-March due to COVID-19."

"It's been a chaotic year for everyone and having a service in place for users to register online has been amazing. Since launching the service it has been well used by our patrons and we've received compliments on how easy it is to register for a library card. The timing of our implementation of eCard was perfect. I’m not sure what we would have done this year if we didn’t have a way for users to register for a card online. I’m looking forward to being able to offer online renewals to our patrons too."

With Quipu’s eCARD, your patrons have easy access to library card self-registration, using an intuitive customizable online registration from your website as well as in-library computers. The eCARD system verifies and standardizes address information entered by the patron in real time for addresses in the U.S. and Canada. Once verified, a patron record is created in the ILS and available for immediate use.

If your library is looking for an agile team experienced with complicated algorithms for online library card registration, look no farther. At Quipu Group, we pride ourselves on reality-based deliverables, and work with each institution to address their staff and customer needs for a customized online library card registration system.

Check out what we heard from Christopher Wymer, Chair, San Joaquin Valley Library System Administrator - "As a public library consortium with 10 member library systems, each with their own electronic collections and access restrictions, we had some complicated self-registration requirements. eCARD’s ability to provide name and address verification was an important consideration and one of the reasons we were excited to partner with Quipu. Quipu worked with us to ensure our eCARD form met all of our requirements, and borrower records followed our established procedures for registering patrons. I am especially happy with how responsive and helpful Quipu’s staff are. During set up, all of my questions or concerns were promptly addressed, and any requests for updates or changes to the form were made the same day."

Here are just a few eCARD features our customers rave about:
 

• Customized registration form and messaging

• Library-specific service area determination

• Patron address verification and standardization

• Customized confirmation page and email

• Implementation of a second, multilingual registration form

• Branding to fit within your library's website

• In-library registration option & customizations

• Adheres to your local registration policies

• Supports use at an individual library or consortia

• Integration available with all major ILS vendors
   

Now that libraries across the country are beginning to open up, newly registered patrons will be ready to embrace your online and physical collections, but still want no-contact online solutions. In response, Quipu is currently in development with select eCARD customers to create an online library card renewal system, assuring no gaps in service or inconvenience to patrons.

Visit us today for a product demo or more information on eCARD, and start delivering the highest quality customer experience to your patrons from the folks at Quipu Group, the most innovative team in library land!

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